The John Dramani Mahama government has begun deploying Ghanaian health professionals abroad under the Labour Export Programme as part of efforts to address unemployment among trained health workers.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh says the initiative is a practical response to the growing number of qualified professionals who remain unemployed due to financial and budgetary constraints within the public health sector.
He disclosed that more than 80,000 trained health workers are currently without jobs, not because they lack the required skills, but because the system is unable to absorb them.
Akandoh’s comment comes as the first batch of Ghanaian health professionals has been deployed abroad under the programme, marking the commencement of international postings aimed at creating job opportunities for health workers while strengthening Ghana’s bilateral relations with partner countries.
According to the Minister, the Labour Export Programme provides an alternative pathway for employment, allowing Ghanaian health workers to offer essential services overseas while earning livelihoods.
He explained that the arrangement is structured to ensure mutual benefit, as host countries gain access to skilled personnel while Ghana promotes its human resource capacity on the global stage.
Mr. Akandoh added that beyond immediate job creation, the programme is expected to deliver long-term benefits, as participants gain international exposure and experience that could eventually contribute to the improvement of Ghana’s healthcare system.
