Mintah Akandoh proposes to send unemployed health professionals abroad
Accra, Ghana - 31 Jan, 2025 - Ghana's Health Minister-designate, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has proposed a plan to address unemployment among health professionals by facilitating their migration to countries in need of skilled medical personnel.
Speaking before the Appointments Committee on Friday, Akandoh acknowledged the alarming rate of unemployment among health professionals in Ghana, attributing it to constraints on the wage bill.
“The unemployment situation among health professionals is alarming. The challenge largely stems from constraints on the wage bill. Therefore, we need to establish links with other countries to facilitate the migration of these professionals and create employment opportunities for them,” he stated.
In recent years, Ghana has seen a surge in the number of health workers, especially nurses, leaving the country in search of better pay and working conditions abroad. While some see this as a way to address unemployment, others worry that it could weaken Ghana's healthcare system.
They fear that a large-scale exodus of medical professionals could worsen the existing shortage, compromising the quality of care in public health facilities. Instead, they argue that the government should focus on upgrading domestic healthcare infrastructure and allocating more funds to create jobs for professionals within Ghana.
Source: Lead News Online
