The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has issued a strong call to government to urgently integrate community pharmacies into the national primary healthcare system, recruit more pharmacists into the public sector, and declare illegal mining (galamsey) a national public health emergency.
The demands were outlined in a communiqué issued at the end of the Society’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), held from September 22 to 27 at the University of Cape Coast, in celebration of World Pharmacists’ Day. The event was held under the theme “Strengthening Pharmacy for Primary Healthcare.”
The Society urged the government to develop and implement a formal framework to integrate over 5,000 community pharmacies into Ghana’s primary healthcare system. It proposed adopting a “Pharmacy First” policy to position pharmacies as the first point of care for minor illnesses, preventive services, and non-communicable disease management.
The PSGH also called for the recruitment of 1,621 qualified pharmacists awaiting employment and resolution of the delay in financial clearance for pharmacy house officers, some of whom have waited over nine months without posting.
On environmental health, the Society urged the government to treat illegal small-scale mining, known as galamsey, as a public health emergency due to its threat to water sources, agriculture, and local pharmaceutical manufacturing
n addition, the Society proposed leveraging the government’s 24-hour economy policy to boost local pharmaceutical production, reduce import dependency, and create jobs.
To ensure clarity and recognition, the PSGH officially adopted “Dr. (Pharm)” as the professional title for pharmacists who hold a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. Those without a PharmD will continue to use the prefix “Pharm.”
The AGM also saw the election of new executives to lead the Society for the next two years:
President: Dr. Paul Owusu Donkor, PhD
Vice President: Pharm. Peter Gyamfi
Honorary Treasurer: Dr. Anna Naa Kwarley Quartey
Executive Member: Pharm. Lucia Addae
They take over from the outgoing executives:
Dr. (Pharm) Samuel Kow Donkoh
Kwabena Offei Asante
Dr. (Pharm) Naana Aboagye Asare
Dr. (Pharm) Richmond Adusa-Poku
In conclusion, the Pharmaceutical Society reaffirmed its commitment to advancing pharmaceutical care and called for collaboration with government, stakeholders, and development partners to build a stronger, more accessible healthcare system for all Ghanaians.
