As Ghanaians join the world in marking this year’s May Day celebration, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has appealed to the government to work to reduce the patient-to-doctor ratio in the country.

Dr Justice Yankson, Deputy General Secretary of the GMA, speaking in an interview with Paa Kwasi Parker-Wilson on Monday May 1, said the low doctor population was slowing down the work of medical practitioners, with doctors unable to give the best treatment to patients.

He said: “We always wish we had enough time to explain everything to the patient but due to the high number of patients relative to doctors, we are unable to do that.

“We are appealing to the Ministry of Health to put in the right measures to reduce the high patient-doctor ratio so that we can attend to everyone very well.”

Commenting on the May Day celebration, Dr Yankson said: “GMA is part of organised labour. We wish every worker ‘ayekoo’ and God’s blessing so that we continue working. Employers, including those in the private sector, should ensure decent working conditions for all workers.”

Ghana joins the rest of the world to celebrate International Workers’ Day today, Monday 1 May.

The day is marked across the world to celebrate labour and the working class.

In Ghana, the day is celebrated with a parade by trade unions and labour associations. The parades are normally addressed by the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress and by regional secretaries in the regions. Workers from different workplaces through banners and T-shirts identify their companies.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to be the special guest of honour at this year’s National May Day Parade to be held at the Independence Square.

This year’s May Day celebration is on the theme: “Ghana @60: Mobilising for Ghana’s future through the creation of decent jobs”.