Ghana has Excess Health Professionals- Health Minister Defends Labour Export

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has defended the export of 121 health professionals to Antigua and Barbuda under the Labour Export Programme.

Contrary to the rhetoric of a shortage of health professionals, he said there was actually an excess.

According to him, the government inherited a backlog of over 80,000 health professionals who have completed the various degrees yet to be deployed within the health sector.

“Usually, the debate has been that we do not have enough health workers in various health facilities, but we are exporting, which is not the case. The availability of health professionals is not a problem. As I have already indicated, we have excess.”

He stated that the government is financially handicapped in employing them all, and thereby, the initiative to provide jobs for them in countries where they are needed.

“We have a country to govern, and at every point we have a proportion we can absorb. As the government is looking at absorbing them internally into our health, we are also exploring avenues in other countries.”

He made these remarks while sending off the over 100 health professionals on a three-year contract to provide services in midwifery, mental health, and general healthcare.

The Minister also noted that processes are underway for deployments to Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad.

He urged them to positively project the country.

“Today we are here to say goodbye to you, but we will be following your progress with keen interest, and as you are going, you must be mindful of the fact that you are carrying the flag of Ghana, and therefore we wish that you go and work with diligence and professionalism.

Story by Hajara Fuseini

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