Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has defended government’s Labour Exchange Programme, describing it as a strategic intervention by President John Dramani Mahama to create jobs for Ghana’s large pool of unemployed health professionals.
Speaking to the media at Kotoka International Airport during the departure of 130 health workers bound for Antigua, Mr. Akandoh explained that the initiative responds to international requests for Ghanaian expertise while easing the backlog of more than 80,000 trained professionals who remain jobless.
“Ghana Labour Exchange Programme is one of the interventions by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama to create more jobs for the good people of this country. Today is the turn of the health workers,” he said.
The Minister noted that Antigua is the first destination under the programme, with similar arrangements being pursued with Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad. He assured the departing workers that government would monitor their progress closely, urging them to carry the Ghanaian flag with diligence and professionalism.
Addressing concerns about exporting health workers while local facilities face shortages, Mr. Akandoh clarified that availability is not the problem. “We inherited about 80,000 health professionals. At every point in time our budget can absorb a certain proportion of them. While government is absorbing some internally, we are also exploring avenues outside the country,” he explained.
He expressed optimism that more batches of health workers would benefit from the programme, reinforcing government’s commitment to tackling unemployment while strengthening Ghana’s reputation abroad.
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