The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has appealed to the government to facilitate the posting of more than 80,000 unemployed nurses and midwives currently awaiting deployment into the health sector.
The association believes providing employment opportunities for the large number of trained health professionals could help address staffing shortages in Ghanaian health facilities while also reducing the risks associated with unregulated overseas recruitment.
The call comes amid concerns about the increasing number of Ghanaian nurses and midwives seeking employment outside the country. The GRNMA says the continued migration of health professionals is placing additional pressure on those who remain in the country’s health facilities.
The association has therefore appealed to the Ministry of Finance to provide the necessary financial clearance to enable the government to post the unemployed nurses and midwives.
GRNMA President Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo also cautioned nurses and midwives against using unlicensed recruitment agencies when seeking employment opportunities abroad. She urged health professionals to properly verify recruitment companies before entering into agreements or paying money for overseas job opportunities.
The warning follows concerns about individuals being targeted by recruitment agents who may not have the required authorization to facilitate international employment.
According to the association, the scale of health worker migration has become a major concern. More than 10,000 Ghanaian nurses and midwives reportedly left the country in 2025, while between 200 and 400 health professionals are said to leave Ghana every month.
The association also reported that about 1,000 nurses and midwives left the country between January and August 2026, further intensifying concerns about the availability of experienced personnel in Ghana’s health facilities.
The continued departure of health professionals can increase the workload of those who remain, potentially contributing to fatigue and burnout. The situation has raised questions about how Ghana can maintain adequate staffing levels while also responding to the growing international demand for trained healthcare workers.
The GRNMA’s proposal to post unemployed nurses and midwives is therefore aimed at addressing what appears to be a contradiction within the health sector: Ghana has a large pool of trained professionals awaiting employment while health facilities continue to experience staffing pressures.
The association has also called for greater transparency regarding bilateral arrangements between Ghana and countries that recruit Ghanaian health professionals. It believes nurses and midwives should have access to clear information about such agreements and the terms governing international recruitment.
The issue of international nurse migration is not unique to Ghana. Health systems in several countries have faced difficulties retaining trained professionals as wealthier countries seek to attract healthcare workers to address their own shortages.
The GRNMA has maintained that nurses and midwives have the right to pursue opportunities abroad but wants the process to be properly regulated and safe for health professionals.
For those considering overseas employment, the association has encouraged them to confirm whether recruitment agencies are properly licensed before proceeding with any offer.
The government is now being urged to consider the association’s call for financial clearance and the posting of the unemployed nurses and midwives. The move, according to the GRNMA, could provide employment for thousands of trained professionals while helping strengthen Ghana’s healthcare workforce.
The debate also highlights the need for long-term measures to balance the country’s investment in training healthcare professionals with the growing international demand for their skills.
Source: Thepressradio.com
