The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) has expressed concern over what it describes as the inadequate number of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians recruited under the latest exercise conducted by the Ministry of Health.
It warned that the current figures will do little to address the severe staffing crisis in public health facilities across the country.
In a press statement issued on Monday, May 11, 2026, the association said that although it appreciates the Ministry’s efforts to begin clearing the backlog of unemployed pharmacy professionals, the recruitment numbers announced fall significantly below what is needed to ensure quality pharmaceutical care in government hospitals.
According to GHOSPA, more than 4,000 pharmacists and over 6,000 pharmacy technicians were successfully verified through the Ministry’s recruitment portal and confirmed their readiness to accept postings into the public health service.
However, only 100 pharmacists and 150 pharmacy technicians were reportedly engaged.
The association described the figures as alarming, noting that less than 3% of the available and verified workforce was absorbed.
“An intake of this scale cannot, by any measure, be considered responsive to the depth of the staffing crisis confronting our facilities,” the association said.
GHOSPA further raised concerns about the recruitment process itself, citing a lack of transparency in the allocation of regional vacancies, technical difficulties with the application portal, and insufficient consultation with key stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector.
According to the association, many applicants experienced persistent network failures and system instability during the application period, potentially preventing qualified professionals from completing the process.
The association also warned of the impact of the staffing shortage on patient care, stating that many hospitals and dispensaries continue to operate without adequate pharmaceutical personnel, placing existing pharmacists under intense pressure.
GHOSPA said the shortage has contributed to burnout among pharmacists, with some professionals reportedly unable to take annual or study leave because they are the only pharmacists serving entire facilities.
While commending Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh for initiating the recruitment exercise, the association stressed that the current effort should only be seen as a first step.
It has therefore called on the Ministry to substantially increase recruitment in the next phase, publish clear employment figures for each stage of the exercise, and involve stakeholders such as the Pharmacy Council and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana in future recruitment planning.
GHOSPA said closing the country’s pharmaceutical workforce gap remains critical to improving medication safety, patient outcomes, and the overall quality of healthcare delivery in Ghana
