The National President of the Physician Assistant Students Association of Ghana (PASAG), Kelvin Kumah Dodzi, has made a passionate appeal to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in the employment crisis facing physician assistants (PAs) across the country.
Speaking at the StandOut 3.0 Leadership Orientation and Career Building Summit on Saturday, September 20, Mr. Kumah urged the former president to use his influence to press the Ministry of Health to absorb over 4,000 qualified physician assistants who have remained unemployed for the past five years.
The summit, themed “The Physician Assistant as an Agent of Change: Navigating the Intersection of Leadership and Healthcare,” brought together influential healthcare professionals, including the Director of Health for Ga Central and the President of the Ghana Academy of Clinical Officers.
“We have over 4,000 licensed physician assistants at home, struggling to find employment,” Mr. Kumah said. “This is not just discouraging for them, but also for us as students who are yet to complete our training.
It creates anxiety for our families, especially our parents who have invested so much into our education.”
He emphasized that despite many hospitals across the country being understaffed, trained physician assistants continue to remain idle at home due to lack of government recruitment.
“There are so many vacancies in our healthcare system—facilities that desperately need personnel.
So why are our professionals still at home?” he asked.
Mr. Kumah clarified that the student body does not intend to engage in protests or demonstrations, but instead seeks to use respectful advocacy to call on government and relevant authorities to act swiftly.
Calls for Internship Reform and Improved Conditions
In addition to the employment crisis, PASAG also called for urgent reforms to the physician assistant internship policy. Mr. Kumah described the current system as “deeply unfair” and “financially unsustainable” for interns.
“The PA program is a rigorous four-year course, after which students must pass a licensure exam and undergo a mandatory one-year internship as directed by the Medical and Dental Council.
But the reality is that interns receive little to no allowance, yet are expected to provide full-time, round-the-clock care to patients,” he explained.
He noted that the lack of financial support forces interns to struggle with transportation, food, and other basic needs, despite working long hours in clinical settings.
“We are giving our all—providing quality care, serving patients tirelessly—yet we are not compensated adequately.
This needs to change. There must be a review of the internship policy, an increase in allowance, and better conditions overall,” he added.
Infrastructure Concerns in Rural Postings
Mr. Kumah further appealed for improvements in infrastructure and basic amenities in rural areas where many physician assistants are posted for internship or national service.
“If we are posted to rural communities, the least that can be done is to ensure we have access to electricity, mobile networks, and internet services.
These are not luxuries—they are necessities for both personal safety and professional research as healthcare workers.”
He concluded with a call for unity and continued advocacy, stressing that PASAG remains committed to championing the welfare of physician assistant students and professionals across Ghana.
“Even though we are still students, we believe in stepping outside the box and being the voice for our seniors who have been left behind.
We are committed to service, committed to excellence, and committed to change.”
Background: The Physician Assistant Students Association of Ghana (PASAG) represents thousands of student physician assistants in tertiary health institutions across the country.
The association has been vocal in recent years about the challenges facing their members, particularly regarding employment opportunities and working conditions.
By Sampson Kumah Ifeetwube Elvis
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