Rules & Regulations

The training programmes shall be in accordance with Curricula approved by the College for each faculty. The types of training programmes of the College shall be as follows:

• Continuous Professional Development programmes
• Diplomas
• Membership
• Fellowship
• Any other training programmes approved by Council

All Doctors and Dentists intending to pursue Specialist Post Graduate Medical and Dental Training under the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons shall be admitted into a programme after satisfying the following conditions:

• Must have submitted application forms in a format and manner approved by the College.
• Must be fully registered with the Medical and Dental Council, Ghana, and in good standing.
• Must have done one year in a District Hospital post-housemanship, which includes exemptions in force from time to time.
• Must have passed the Primary examination of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons or equivalent from recognized Colleges or passed the Entrance Examinations organized by those Faculties of the Ghana College that require them.
• Must pass an interview conducted by the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.

All Doctors and Dentists intending to pursue Specialist Post Graduate Medical and Dental Training under the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons shall be admitted into a programme after satisfying the following conditions:

• Foreign (Non-Ghanaian) Residents are offered admission into Residency training programmes of their choice available at the College.
• Must show evidence of full registration to practice medicine in country of origin.
• Must be registered with the Ghana Medical and Dental Council.
• Must have passed the primary examination from a recognized College.
• The training may take place at any of the training sites.

• Continuous Professional Education Shall be developed in collaboration with the Medical and Dental Council and approved by the College.
• Diploma Training Shall be developed and approved by the College in consultation with key stakeholders.

• Candidates who have successfully completed the Membership Programme of the College may proceed directly into Fellowship training after passing an Interview.
• A Fellowship award may be made either to complete the Fellowship programmes of the Ghana College or the West African Colleges.
• The Fellowship programme starts in January or a time determined by Council.
• The training period may vary depending on the design of the programme.
• Some Fellowship programmes may entail Sub-Specialty components.
• Residents may be allowed to defer their programme during the course of the training period with the consent of their sponsor and the written permission of the Rector.
• Deferment before the start of training will be considered as a withdrawal from the programme and candidates may re-apply at a later date.
• A Resident may apply for deferment only once during the Fellowship training programme.
• A Resident Assessment will be held every Six months and a written report submitted to the College under cover from the Training Institution.
• The training may be terminated if the Resident does not make satisfactory progress.

• Sponsorship for training may be by an Agency, Organization or an Individual.
• Sponsors of residents shall pay the agreed fee of their beneficiaries to the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons at the start of each academic year.
• Failure to pay the training fee shall disqualify a resident from being in good standing.

• Council shall determine fees from time to time.
• The Sponsors shall pay agreed fees for each stage of the training programme to the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.
• Residents shall be responsible for the payment of fees for the following;
  • Examinations
  • Update Courses.
  • Revision Courses.
  • Continuous Professional Development Activities.
  • Any other courses, Seminars or symposia.
• Sponsors of residents SHALL pay for the cost of dissertations.

Candidates must fulfill all financial and academic obligations to be allowed to write an examination.

• Failure to fulfill all financial obligations will have the following consequences;
  • result of performance in examinations will not be released.
  • certificate will not be released.
  • cannot enjoy any privileges of the College.
  • If after three (3) years financial obligations are still not met the certificate will be cancelled.
• Failure to fulfill all academic and training requirements will debar candidate from taking the examinations.

As part of the training Programme Residents are required to attend Lectures, Tutorials, Clinical Demonstrations, to participate in an appropriate field practice, Clinico-Pathological Conference-Seminar-Audit or equivalent and also attend Journal Club Meetings. Every Resident is expected to attend:

• At least two Faculty organized workshops per year other than Update Course.
• One Update Course per year.
• Specified or approved Symposia/Seminar.
• Practical sessions appropriate to the faculty, including surgical theatre sessions.
• A Resident in the final year of the Membership and Fellowship training programme must attend one Revision Course.
• Every Resident shall be provided with a Log Book relevant to the faculty, which shall be completed and signed by the supervisor.
• The relevant Head of Department at the training institution shall assign a Mentor to each Resident for guidance and support during the training period.
• In the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons programmes, the Chair of Faculty will examine All Log Books at least three months before the Membership/Fellowship and other examinations.
• A Resident with an incomplete or unsatisfactory Log Book Will Not Be permitted to take the examination.
• The Academic Board of the College will from time to time determine the conditions for the exit assessment of residents.
• Candidates taking examinations of the West African Colleges should study their College’s requirements with respect to the Log Book and other course requirements.

• No foreign attachments will be allowed during the Membership programme, except with written approval of the Rector.
• An attachment to a recognized foreign institution in the relevant specialty is recommended for Residents pursuing the Fellowship programme for a period of up to a maximum of one year as part of the training.
• Such foreign attachment shall be undertaken on the recommendation of the Chairperson of Faculty and the approval of the Rector.
• Any extension of the attachment period will be by prior approval of the Rector.

In furtherance to Section 26 of Act 833, the College shall:

• Conduct Entrance and Exit Examinations for Residents according to its Rules and Regulations.
• Organise and Conduct Selection Interviews and admit successful applicants into Residency Training.
• Provide Log Books, Curricula and any other relevant documents to Residents.
• Provide Trainers with relevant Curricula and other appropriate documents.
• Establish and Implement a rigorous Accreditation process of Training Institutions.
• Liaise with the Ministry Of Health/Ghana Health Service and Training Institutions to upgrade and maintain their Infrastructure for Training and Service Delivery.
• Devise and Implement a Formative Assessment Programme for Residents during their Training.
• Organise Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Programmes and Update Courses for Residents through the Faculties.
• Train and certify Trainers.
• Provide Capacity Building Activity for Trainers.
• Provide Training and Educational resources and Reliable ICT Facilities for both Residents and Trainers.
• Facilitate linkages with International Institutions for Placements for Resident external attachments.
• Review the Curricula and any related documents from time to time in line with changing trends and Advances in Medicine and Surgery.
• Organize Annual Conferences for the Issuance of the Colleges’ certificates to deserving Residents and their induction into the College.
• Submit periodic progress report to sponsors during and at the end of the training period.
• Collaborate with relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies and other local and foreign institutions in furtherance of its mandate.
• The College may recognize and reward persons who have provided meritorious service.

• Accommodation and subsistence.
• Collect Curriculum and Log Book from the College for the training programme. The Log Book must be filled and signed timeously.
• Residents must have basic computer skills.

• Council shall award diplomas and certificates on completion of specialist training.
• Council may confer professional distinctions on individuals.

• Submission of false certificates of qualification and accreditation from Ghana Medical and Dental Council.
• Falsification of documents from employers and place of work.
• Examination mal-practice.
• Presentation of false recommendation from any source.
• False entries in Log Books.
• Failure to submit Log Book at specified time.
• Proof of committed plagiarism.
• Any commission or omission contrary to laid down rules and regulations of the College.

• Imposition of a fine to be determined by the College.
• Withdrawal from programme.
• Suspension.
• Referral to appropriate professional body for further disciplinary procedure.
• Referral for criminal prosecution.
• Suspension or cancellation of examination results.
• Cancellation of certificate.