Minority drags Dr Anne Sansa Daly to US medical councils
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has officially petitioned both the Ghana Medical and Dental Council (GMDC) and the relevant medical licensing body in the United States concerning the medical qualifications of Dr. Anne Sansa Daly. This comes after President John Dramani Mahama revoked her appointment to the Governing Board of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) over allegations that she misrepresented herself as a medical doctor.
The petition, which was submitted by Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee, is seeking verification from the two medical councils. The Minority wants to know whether Dr. Anne Sansa Daly, who claimed to be trained at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in the United States, is indeed registered or affiliated with any medical authority in either Ghana or the U.S.
They have also requested that the Ghana Medical and Dental Council clarify a critical concern: Can someone who is not a registered medical doctor in Ghana present themselves to the public as a doctor and go as far as offering medical advice or services?
In their petition to the GMDC, the Minority Caucus posed three important questions:
Is Dr. Anne Sansa Daly currently registered and licensed by the Ghana Medical and Dental Council to practise medicine in Ghana?
Has Dr. Anne Sansa Daly ever been registered with the GMDC in any form—whether temporary, permanent, or otherwise?
According to GMDC’s regulations, is it acceptable for an individual who is not officially registered to publicly present themselves as a doctor or provide medical advice on platforms within Ghana?
These questions, according to the Caucus, need urgent answers due to the serious nature of the allegations and the implications it has for public trust in medical professionals and health governance.
The controversy gained national attention when President Mahama, in a letter dated May 23, 2025, revoked Dr. Daly’s appointment to the NHIA Governing Board. The letter, which was addressed to the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, cited “false pretense” as the reason for her removal.
Although the official letter revoking her appointment was issued by Dr. Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, it did not provide further explanation or detail the specific reasons why she was accused of misrepresentation. However, reports indicate that Anne Sansa Daly claimed to be a medical doctor, yet investigations reportedly revealed that she was not certified to practise medicine either in Ghana or in the United States.
The issue has sparked debate across the health sector and among the general public. Many are questioning how someone with questionable credentials could be appointed to a high-level position on a board that plays such a critical role in Ghana’s healthcare system.
For the Minority Caucus, this incident raises wider concerns about vetting processes for appointments to sensitive public roles, particularly in the health sector. They argue that without thorough verification of professional credentials, such appointments can undermine the integrity of institutions like the NHIA and endanger public trust.
By engaging both the GMDC and the U.S. licensing body, the Minority seeks to bring clarity to Dr. Daly’s true professional status. They insist that if it is proven that she falsely presented herself as a medical doctor, the appropriate legal and regulatory steps should be taken against her.
Furthermore, their petition indirectly puts pressure on the institutions responsible for medical regulation and public sector appointments to be more diligent and transparent in their operations.
At the heart of the issue is the trust the Ghanaian public places in healthcare authorities and professionals. The Minority believes that if someone can falsely claim to be a doctor and ascend to a leadership position in the NHIA, it sets a dangerous precedent that must be corrected.
This development adds to the growing public discourse on ethics, accountability, and professionalism in public service under President Mahama’s current administration. While many have praised the president for swiftly revoking Dr. Daly’s appointment, others are calling for a more detailed public explanation and a stronger commitment to background checks before appointments are made.
The GMDC is yet to publicly respond to the Minority’s petition, and it remains to be seen whether any legal action will follow should it be confirmed that Dr. Anne Sansa Daly was never licensed to practise medicine in Ghana or abroad.
In the meantime, the case serves as a wake-up call to government institutions, health authorities, and the public at large to uphold transparency and accountability in all public health-related matters.