Ghana’s Healthcare: 13,500 Nurses and Midwives Recruited as Akandoh Pledges Stability and Reforms
In a significant stride toward revitalizing Ghana’s healthcare system, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has announced the completion of recruiting 13,500 nurses and midwives. This move, revealed at the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) 19th Biennial Conference in Tamale, addresses longstanding workforce gaps and promises to enhance frontline service delivery. As the Mahama administration pushes forward with ambitious health initiatives like Free Primary Healthcare and Mahama Cares, this recruitment signals a commitment to continuity and worker welfare amid recent labor tensions.
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A Milestone in Workforce Expansion
During his address at the GRNMA conference, Minister Akandoh highlighted that the recruitment process, initiated by the previous government, was successfully concluded under the current Mahama administration in 2025. “In 2025, the Mahama administration successfully concluded the recruitment process initiated by the previous government by facilitating the enrollment of 13,500 nurses and midwives into the government’s payroll,” he stated. He assured that any salary delays for the new hires would be resolved by the end of the month, adding, “I am pleased to announce that by the end of this month, all individuals whose salary processes experienced a delay will receive their first payment.”
The Minister emphasized the central role of nurses and midwives in key programs like Free Primary Healthcare and Mahama Cares, which aim to improve access and quality of care. He also noted that negotiated Conditions of Service for health workers are under strong consideration for the 2026 Budget, describing it as “a clear demonstration of government commitment to continuity, fairness and the welfare of nurses and midwives.” Akandoh called for ongoing collaboration between the Ministry, labor unions, and GRNMA to tackle issues like deployment, specialist training, and overall stability.
This news quickly spread across social media, with outlets like Citi FM and UTV Ghana amplifying the announcement to their audiences.
The GRNMA Conference: A Platform for Dialogue
The announcement came during the GRNMA’s 19th Biennial National Delegates Conference, held in Tamale from November 17 to 22, 2025. Over 400 delegates and observers from across Ghana’s regions gathered under the theme “Harnessing Nursing Power for National Development.” The event provided a crucial forum for discussing healthcare challenges, with Akandoh’s speech underscoring the government’s responsiveness to union concerns. GRNMA, representing a vital segment of Ghana’s health workforce, has long advocated for better conditions, making this conference a pivotal moment for policy alignment.
Addressing Chronic Shortages and Labor Unrest
Ghana’s health sector has faced acute shortages of nurses and midwives, exacerbated by emigration, underfunding, and uneven distribution. In 2025 alone, the country grappled with multiple strikes, including a nationwide action by GRNMA in June over delayed implementation of the 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement, which demanded better allowances and pay. The strike disrupted services, leaving patients without care and prompting government interventions, including parliamentary mediation and appeals to suspend the action. Plans to replace strikers with retirees highlighted the desperation, but the action was eventually called off after promises of resolution by June 26, 2025.
These events reflect broader African trends, where workforce migration and chronic underfunding deepen crises, as seen in Nigeria and the DRC. In Ghana, the brain drain of health professionals has left facilities understaffed, particularly in rural areas, prompting urgent recruitment drives.
Broader Reforms
This recruitment aligns with the current administration’s health agenda, focusing on universal access and preventive care. The Free Primary Healthcare program, that aims to provide equitable, affordable services through Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) zones. Complementing this is Mahama Cares, formally the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund (MAHAMACARES), launched to cover costs for chronic diseases not under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Preparations for Free Primary Healthcare began in October 2025, with NHIA CEO Da-Costa Aboagye outlining a focus on preventive services. These initiatives build on earlier announcements, including the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill passed in 2025.
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Implications: Toward a Stable and Equitable Health System
Recruiting 13,500 professionals could significantly alleviate shortages, improving patient care and supporting reform implementation. By addressing salary delays and budgeting for improved conditions, the government demonstrates responsiveness to union demands, potentially reducing future strikes. However, challenges remain: equitable deployment to rural areas, specialist training, and retaining talent amid global migration pressures.
Stakeholders like GRNMA must continue advocating, while partnerships with NHIA and international bodies could enhance sustainability. If the 2026 Budget incorporates these changes, it could mark a turning point for worker morale and service quality.
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