Ghana Medical Association Raises Alarm Over Alcohol Misuse, Drug Abuse, and Sexual Misconduct Among Members

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has raised urgent concerns about alcohol misuse, drug abuse, and incidents of sexual misconduct among some of its members.

At the GMA’s annual general meeting, President Dr. Frank Serebour emphasized that such behaviors jeopardize patient care, as affected doctors continue to practice.

He noted the association is currently facing multiple lawsuits related to allegations of medical and professional negligence, highlighting the critical need for reform.

“We have health personnel struggling with alcoholism and drug abuse, which adversely affects their quality of life,” Dr. Serebour stated.

He also reported serious cases of sexual harassment involving healthcare workers, many of which are still under review by the Medical and Dental Council.

Additionally, Dr. Serebour expressed alarm at the increasing number of legal actions against health facilities, which often tarnish the reputation of the profession. “In some instances, victims of our unprofessionalism choose to blame external forces rather than holding the system accountable,” he remarked.

He also criticized various unprofessional behaviors, such as chronic lateness, absenteeism, and inadequate working hours, questioning whether professionalism is declining in the healthcare sector. “Is there an excessive focus on greed and selfishness? Some staff arrive at 9:00 a.m. and leave by noon, yet expect full compensation for a day’s work,” he concluded.