Beginners guide on how to become a Doctor in Ghana
Becoming a doctor is a noble and gratifying career choice, and in Ghana, the journey to this profession is both challenging and rewarding. As a medical practitioner, you will play a significant role in the health and well-being of people and communities. Explore a detailed roadmap on how to become a doctor in Ghana.
Source: UGC
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Becoming a medical doctor in Ghana comes with a few challenges. Intake into medical schools has become so competitive that several prospective students who meet the university's criteria are unable to get admission due to the high number of applications competing for relatively limited training positions.
However, the situation is steadily changing as more medical institutions have been established to curb the issue.
How to become a doctor in Ghana
Like elsewhere, doctors in Ghana are tasked with diagnosing and treating ailments, managing patient care, and frequently working long hours. Here is a detailed guide on becoming a doctor in Ghana, delving into the academic requirements, the cost of studying medicine in Ghana, and doctors' earnings.
What are the medical college entry requirements?
To become a medical doctor in Ghana, you must satisfy specific academic prerequisites:
- You must complete your Senior Secondary School (SSS) education, focusing on a natural science class.
- Depending on different medical schools, you must have a minimum credit pass in Core Mathematics, Core English, and Integrated Science or Social Studies.
- You must have obtained good passes in three subjects: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Elective Mathematics.
- To be considered for shortlisting, you must meet the above requirements and have a total aggregate of 08 or above in six subjects (three core and three electives).
- You must pass the school's entrance exam and/or interview.
Once you complete the course, which lasts about six years, you will be awarded a Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). If you are wondering how to become a gynaecologist after obtaining your Bachelor's, this is possible as you will undergo more years while specialising in the field.
Physicians must train in a comprehensive OB/GYN department and have well-trained faculty, teachers, and researchers.
How to complete a residency in Ghana
Source: UGC
Once you graduate from medical school, you must enrol in and complete residency training. This comes after you have passed the Ghana College of Physicians & Surgeons Primary Examination or the West Africa College of Physicians (Surgeons). Before making your application, you must meet the following requirements:
- Successfully completion of your MBBS degree at the medical university.
- Full registration and completion of the house-manship training and one-year rotation as required by the Ministry of Health, Ghana.
The residency program offers several specialities, including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, and Obstetrics. You will be rotated through these specialities. You are also subjected to a selection interview at each faculty.
How to obtain a licence to practise medicine
Before practising medicine, one must obtain a licence. As a candidate, you must meet the following conditions:
- Earn a degree from an accredited medical institution in Ghana or abroad.
- Complete a residency program and register with Ghana's Medical and Dental Council.
- For foreign doctors, you must undertake an exam to be granted the licence to practise medicine in Ghana.
Can a nurse become a doctor?
Yes, nurses can become doctors. Many nurses who aspire to transition into a medical career pursue additional education and training to become doctors. You must hold an undergraduate bachelor's degree. Most coursework will be ample and sufficient for medical school if the degree is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
You must also take the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, within three years of applying for medical school.
While the journey from nursing to doctor demands significant effort and commitment, it is a viable and rewarding career progression for people who want to advance their roles in patient care.
How much do doctors earn in Ghana?
Source: UGC
There has been debate about how much medical doctors currently earn in Ghana. Doctors, like all other government institutions in Ghana, are paid under the Single-Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
Ghanaian Doctors are believed to be well-paid. However, the exact opposite is the case. This has resulted in widespread agitation among medical practitioners for higher remuneration. In addition, due to poor working conditions, many young doctors are leaving Ghana to pursue greener pastures abroad.
It was once reported that senior medical officers could be taking home a gross monthly salary of GH¢ 1900.00, which, after tax deductions, comes to GH¢ 1600.00.
How much does it cost to study medicine in Ghana?
Medical schools in Ghana charge fees differently. The annual tuition fee for the course is relatively lower than that for international students. Additionally, private institutions tend to be more expensive than public institutions.
The University of Ghana offers a lower rate, though it is also the most competitive institution to enter in the country.
For those looking for affordable options, the University of Ghana Medical School fee ranges from GH¢2,000 to GH¢10,000, while Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Medical Sciences fee starts from GH¢ 3,135.99.
Remember to consult the official school administration for the most updated fee schedule.
How many medical schools are in Ghana?
If you are wondering how many medical schools are in the country, here are some of the top medical schools in Ghana.
- The University of Ghana Medical School - Accra
- Family Health Medical School
- The Medical School at the University of Cape Coast
- Accra College of Medicine – Accra
- University of Allied Health Sciences – Volta region
- The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Medical Sciences
- School of Medicine, University of Development Studies –Tamale
- C4C Homoeopathic Medical College
- Community Health Nurses Training College
- The Accra School of Hygiene
Being a doctor can be a gratifying career if you are passionate about healthcare and willing to put in the time and effort. The above guide on how to become a doctor in Ghana will be helpful if you want to pursue your medical studies in Ghana.
Yen.com.gh recently published an article on the best STEM schools in Ghana and their location. Ghana is one of the African countries that understands the value of supporting innovation and excellence in STEM fields. As a result, several institutions nationwide have emerged as leaders in high-quality STEM education.
Awaso STEM SHS, Kpasenkpe STEM SHS, and Bosomtwe Girls STEM SHS are some of the best STEM schools in Ghana. Discover the history of Ghana's STEM schools, STEM programmes, the purpose of STEM schools in Ghana, other STEM schools in the country, and STEM professional pathways.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Ferdie Rodgers Ferdie Rodgers is a content creator who studied Journalism and Applied Communication at Multimedia University of Kenya and enjoys compiling content that is enlightening to the reader. Ferdie enjoys writing about trending topics such as entertainment, travelling blogs, sports, technology & science, lifestyle, and politics.
Racheal Murimi (Lifestyle writer) Racheal Murimi is a content creator who joined Yen in 2022. She has over four years of experience in creating content. Racheal graduated from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology with a bachelor's degree in BCom, Finance. She has amassed sufficient knowledge working on various topics, including biographies, fashion and lifestyles, guides, and more. In 2023, Racheal finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her at wambuimurimi254@gmail.com
