President John Dramani Mahama has announced the immediate recruitment of 8,000 nurses as the first phase of a nationwide exercise to employ 16,000 health professionals aimed at strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system.
The recruitment forms part of the government’s broader strategy to improve healthcare delivery by increasing the number of frontline health workers, particularly in communities where access to medical services remains limited.
President Mahama disclosed the initiative during the launch of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme at the Ho Municipal Hospital on Thursday, July 16. He explained that the remaining 8,000 nurses would be recruited in a second phase, creating employment opportunities for newly qualified nurses while addressing staffing shortages across the country.
According to the President, the phased recruitment is designed to ensure nursing graduates are posted to work within a reasonable time after completing their training instead of waiting for years before securing employment.
He noted, however, that many of the newly recruited nurses would be assigned to underserved districts and rural communities where healthcare facilities continue to face critical shortages of personnel.
President Mahama encouraged nurses to embrace the opportunity to serve wherever they are posted, stressing that the profession demands dedication, compassion and a commitment to improving the lives of patients. He urged health workers to uphold the values of selfless service and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of health workers. He said government would continue to review their conditions of service as the country’s economic outlook strengthens, with the aim of motivating them to deliver quality healthcare.
He further praised the management and staff of the Ho Municipal Hospital for their long-standing contribution to healthcare delivery, describing medical professionals as indispensable to national development because of the vital role they play in protecting the health and well-being of Ghanaians.
The announcement is expected to bring relief to thousands of trained nurses awaiting employment while boosting the workforce needed to support the government’s healthcare reforms across the country.
