Ghana: calls for dedicated Medical Laboratory Science Council
Medical laboratory scientists in Ghana are calling on the government to establish a dedicated Medical Laboratory Science Council, arguing that the current regulatory structure under the Allied Health Professions Council is insufficient to effectively oversee the size and complexity of the profession. The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists contends that a specialized council would enable more targeted regulation, including responsibility for accreditation, licensing processes, investigations, and professional standards enforcement, while also improving oversight of laboratory services and ensuring only qualified practitioners are employed. Advocates emphasize that the profession’s large and diverse membership—spanning technicians, scientists, and medical specialists—requires a more focused regulatory framework to support quality healthcare delivery. The appeal also highlights broader workforce concerns, including a backlog of trained but unemployed professionals and increasing service demand, positioning regulatory reform as part of a wider effort to strengthen capacity, governance, and service quality within the health system.