Vice President calls for ethical recruitment agreements to protect Ghana's health workforce
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called for stronger international cooperation and ethical recruitment practices to address the migration of healthcare professionals from Ghana and other African countries. Speaking at the 2026 Annual Health Summit in Accra, the Vice President emphasized the need for bilateral labor agreements that balance opportunities for health workers abroad with safeguarding Ghana's healthcare system. She noted that while migration offers opportunities, it also poses challenges for maintaining adequate health worker numbers. Professor Opoku-Agyemang stated that Ghana's response must include investments in training, recruitment, deployment, and retention of health workers, especially in underserved communities. She announced government plans to recruit 16,000 health professionals to strengthen healthcare delivery and advance Universal Health Coverage. The Vice President stressed that recruitment alone is insufficient, highlighting the importance of creating conditions that encourage health professionals to remain in service, particularly in rural areas. She also renewed calls for African countries to take greater ownership of their health systems through increased domestic investment and reduced dependence on external support, referencing the Accra Reset on Health Sovereignty. Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, acknowledged workforce retention as a pressing challenge and outlined measures to strengthen the health workforce, i
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