Government in Talks with 13 Countries to Employ Unplaced Ghanaian Nurses
The Government of Ghana is in negotiations with 13 countries to employ thousands of unemployed nurses and midwives, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has revealed.
Speaking during a visit to the Sefwi Wiawso Nurses and Midwifery College in the Western North Region, the Minister acknowledged the growing backlog of nurses who have completed training since 2020 but are yet to receive employment. He said while the government continues to absorb some into the public health system, it is also pursuing international agreements to create opportunities for those who remain unplaced.
Mr. Akandoh explained that discussions are far advanced with 13 countries that have expressed interest in hiring Ghanaian nurses. He noted that Ghanaian health professionals are respected globally for their competence and commitment, making them highly sought after in international healthcare systems. “We are negotiating with these countries to export some of our nurses. Once the agreements are finalized, it will open doors for many of our health professionals,” he said.
The Minister described the move as part of an “out-of-the-box” approach to resolving the long-standing challenge of health sector unemployment. According to him, the plan is to strike a balance between domestic recruitment and international deployment to ease the burden while giving Ghanaian nurses global exposure.
He further revealed that government is also investing in the professional development of nurses by supporting 15 nursing and midwifery tutors annually to pursue PhD programmes. This, he said, is expected to strengthen academic capacity and improve the quality of nursing education across the country.
Mr. Akandoh assured graduates and trainees that the government remains committed to addressing their employment challenges both locally and internationally, adding that the new initiative will not only provide jobs but also enhance Ghana’s reputation as a hub for producing world-class health professionals.
