The Ministry of Health is actively pursuing financial clearance for a substantial number of unemployed healthcare professionals, aiming to bolster Ghana’s healthcare delivery system. The Sector Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh announced that processes are underway to secure approval for 48,878 trained nurses from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 graduating cohorts.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Akandoh also revealed that 1,621 unemployed pharmacists and 900 medical doctors are expected to receive financial clearance and subsequent recruitment imminently.
“Mr. Speaker, we have 15,947 nurses from the 2021 batch, 17,176 from 2022, and 15,755 from 2023, totaling 48,878 unemployed nurses alone,” the Minister stated. He added, “Approximately 15,000 nurses received financial clearance and were employed in December 2024, and their payroll integration is still ongoing.”
He further highlighted the plight of Allied Health Professionals, noting that this critical category has not received any financial clearance for recruitment since 2019. He reported a staggering total of 21,570 unemployed allied health professionals from various fields who have graduated between 2019 and the present. Pharmacists, another group identified, have similarly not received financial clearance for employment since 2019.
“We have a total of 1,621 unemployed pharmacists from 2019 to date,” he elaborated. “The Ministry has also initiated the process to recruit over 900 medical doctors who are currently awaiting placement. Mr. Speaker, the problem is therefore enormous, but we are committed to finding solutions to it.”
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh affirmed that the Ministry is actively engaging with relevant stakeholders, including the Minister of Finance, to ensure the swift recruitment of these professionals. The objective is to significantly increase the workforce at various health delivery institutions, thereby promoting and enhancing the quality of care for all Ghanaians.
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
