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Ghana has approximately one radiologist per 400,000 people, instead of the basic international standard of nine radiologists to 100,000 people.
Also, about 90 per cent of the country’s district hospitals lack specialist radiological services, leaving a growing burden of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and trauma undiagnosed.
The President of the Ghana Society for Radiographers (GSR), Dennis Amartey Ahia, expressed the concerns at the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists (ISRRT) international conference and the Ghana Society of Radiographers triennial congress in Cape Coast.
It was on the theme: "Expanding the scope: Role extension in radiography".
Radiography uses a type of high-energy radiation called X-rays to take pictures of areas inside the body.
Mr Ahia stated that Africa's health systems were burdened by a shortage of radiologists, increasing patient loads and the growing demand for diagnostic imaging.
He said Nigeria, with over 200 million people, had fewer than 300 practising radiologists while many sub-Saharan African countries had less than one radiologist per one million people.
He said this crisis had led to long waiting times for patients who needed critical diagnostic reports.
The Ghana Society of Radiographers President said the solution would require a bold re-shaping of the radiographers' role to include image interpretation and reporting to help patients in underserved regions receive timely diagnoses without prolonged waits for radiologists.
Mr Ahia said around the globe, radiographers were stepping into advanced clinical, diagnostic and interventional roles, adding that in many high-income countries, radiographers now performed image interpretation, advanced ultrasound diagnostics and even minor interventional procedures and tasks once reserved for radiologists.
He said role extension further opened new career pathways for radiographers, encouraging specialisation in areas such as MRI, CT and advanced ultrasonography, mammography, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine, among others.
The Registrar of the Allied Health Profession Council, Dr Shirazu Issahaku, called for the establishment of a college of radiology to help more efficient radiographers.
He also called for the harmonisation of training curricula to ensure standardised training, service delivery and efficiency.
Dr Isaahaku underscored the importance of radiographers in medical practice and outcomes, urging the GSR to promote the highest standards of practice among practitioners.
The Africa Regional Director of the ISRRT, Elizabeth Balogun, in her address, said the field of radiography was one of constant evolution and innovation, adding that such conferences must help share knowledge, foster collaboration, and inspire members to reach new heights.
"The work we do is not just about advancing technology; it's about improving patient care and outcomes and ultimately making a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals," she added.
A professor at the Department of Imaging Technology and Sonography at the University of Cape Coast, Professor Eric Kwesi Ofori, who chaired the function, called for sustained interest in the field to address the critical staff shortfalls.
He also called for good conditions of services to retain them in the country, saying many of the students had been enticed abroad due to better working conditions.
