The Association of Medicine Counter Assistant-Ghana is dissatisfied with the service conditions of its members from their employers, especially private pharmacy owners.

President of the association, Constant Reuben Abbey, says some employers fail to honour financial obligations, including pension contributions, and resist opportunities for the counter assistants to hone their skill sets.

He was speaking at the annual general meeting of the association in Kumasi.

“An employer will look at an MCA and say I am paying you, 500 Ghana cedis. It is an insult. But since most of the time the MCAs are desperate, they accept the money like that. We urge the employers to pay us what is due us. If the MCA doesn’t have the right state of mind, they won’t be able to work effectively,” he said.

The annual general meeting of the Association of Medicine Counter Assistants -Ghana brought together members from across the country to deliberate on improving their welfare and fostering cohesion in the sector.

This year’s theme for the meeting focused on championing the welfare of the members of the association.

There are over 17,000 medicine counter assistants in Ghana rendering services at various pharmacies and licensed drug stores.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Pharmacist at the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, Emmanuel Kyeremateng is suggesting an extension of the medicine counter assistantship program.

He believes an upgrade of the course would provide trainees in-depth skills and knowledge in the field for effective workmanship.

“It should be increased to at least two years, so that what they possess will carry weight. This will broaden the scope of knowledge they have. For six months, there is little that can be achieved. Leadership of the association must look at extending the program,” he said.