The Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anaesthetists (GACRA) has issued a strong warning to a group calling itself the Physician Assistants and Certified Registered Anaesthetists Group, accusing it of impersonation and misleading conduct.
In an press statement and legal notice, GACRA alleged that the said group has been falsely presenting itself as the legitimate representative of Certified Registered Anaesthetists in Ghana, despite lacking any legal status or authorization to do so.
GACRA emphasized that it remains the only legally recognized professional body representing the interests of anaesthetists in the country. The association is duly registered under the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), and holds both a Trade Union Registration Certificate and a Collective Bargaining Certificate under the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).
“Our attention has been drawn to a group actively impersonating GACRA and misleading the public by purporting to represent Certified Registered Anaesthetists in Ghana,” said the statement signed by James Nwinsagra, the President, and Joshua Annovi Kunfah, Vice Secretary of GACRA.
“This conduct is not only unlawful and deceptive, but also undermines professional standards and compromises the integrity of public health sector negotiations.”
GACRA’s investigations reportedly found that the group in question is neither registered under Ghanaian law nor recognized as a trade union. It also lacks a collective bargaining certificate, yet has attempted to engage in representation and negotiations, particularly through an affiliation with the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association.
The association has completely disassociated itself from the activities of the unrecognized group and cautioned healthcare professionals, public institutions, and the general public to refrain from engaging with it. GACRA warned that any dealings with the group are done “entirely at your own risk.”
Through its legal counsel, Addo, Addo & Co., GACRA has formally directed the group to cease and desist from any conduct or public claims suggesting it represents Certified Registered Anaesthetists.
The legal notice, which was also copied to the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, National Labour Commission, and Chief Labour Officer, gave the group 10 working days to comply or face legal action.
“This notice does not constitute a waiver of any legal or equitable rights,” the letter noted, adding that “GACRA reserves the right to take all necessary actions to protect its mandate and the professional integrity of anaesthetists in Ghana.”
