By Savannah Pokuaah Duah
Ministry of Health, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), convened a National Policy Dialogue to confront the pressing challenges facing Ghana’s healthcare workforce. Under the theme “Transforming Ghana’s Health Workforce for UHC: Align, Invest, and Sustain,” the two-day event aimed to develop strategies to address issues like unequal distribution of health workers, skills deficits, and the increasing emigration of healthcare professionals.
Discussions centered on clarifying roles within the healthcare system, optimizing the job market for health workers, and securing sustained funding for human resources in healthcare (HRH). The dialogue sought to achieve a broad agreement on policies that will ensure a well-staffed and resilient health system across Ghana.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, addressing attendees, revealed that a recent Health Labour Market Analysis (HLMA) presented a complex picture of progress and persistent problems. While acknowledging significant improvements over the past twenty years, Ghana still struggles with effectively deploying and retaining health workers and ensuring the sustainability of the workforce.
Akandoh pointed out that almost 40% of qualified health professionals are currently unemployed, while rural communities face a critical shortage of healthcare staff.
He also highlighted a worrying trend: economic pressures are causing more than two-thirds of health workers to consider leaving the country for opportunities abroad.
He urged stakeholders to brainstorm solutions, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches and partnerships to overcome these challenges and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Chief Director of the MOH, Alhaji Hafiz Adam, in his welcome address, acknowledged that the ministry, with support from its partners, has made considerable progress in expanding Ghana’s healthcare workforce in the last two decades, increasing public sector workforce density from 16.56 to 41.92 per 10,000 people. Despite these gains, he reiterated that the dialogue was critical to tackling remaining issues by analyzing HLMA findings and crafting strategies targeting education, job creation, and worker retention.
He added that the discussions would also explore ways to strengthen cooperation between stakeholders, improve existing policies, and establish effective monitoring and evaluation systems to guarantee the long-term growth and efficient management of Ghana’s healthcare workforce.
The dialogue brought together high-ranking officials from key government ministries, representatives from the MOH, private healthcare providers, quasi-health institutions, professional associations, and development partners. A panel discussion was held to foster agreement on reforms aimed at improving workforce coordination, strengthening regulatory structures, and ensuring sustained financial support for Ghana’s healthcare system.
