The Ministry of Health has secured a new pathway for qualified Ghanaian nurses to access employment opportunities in the United States following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Ghana and the City of Columbus, Ohio.
The agreement was signed by the Ministries of Health and Labour, Jobs and Employment after months of technical discussions with their counterparts in the United States.
According to the Ministry of Health, the partnership will pave the way for detailed arrangements for the ethical recruitment and deployment of Ghanaian health professionals, particularly nurses, to the US.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 15, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said the agreement goes beyond recruitment, stressing that any deployment arrangement must protect the rights, welfare and professional interests of Ghanaian health workers.
He said the initiative forms part of the Ministry’s efforts to secure credible and decent international employment opportunities for Ghanaian health professionals in line with Ghana’s Migration Policy and international standards.
Mr Akandoh explained that the partnership builds on the existing sister-city relationship between Accra and Columbus, as well as the Ghana Labour Exchange Programme.
He assured health professionals that the government would continue to pursue partnerships that create decent employment opportunities abroad while ensuring that the welfare and professional rights of recruited workers are protected.
The Minister said such engagements would be guided by Ghana’s Migration Policy, international best practices and global standards.
The agreement is expected to create a structured channel for qualified Ghanaian nurses and other health professionals to explore employment opportunities in Columbus, Ohio, while providing safeguards around their recruitment and deployment.
Read the full statement below
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