Ghana Risks 180,000 Unemployed Health Professionals by 2028 – Akandoh Warns

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has cautioned that Ghana could be grappling with as many as 180,000 unemployed trained health professionals by the end of 2028 if urgent measures are not taken to address the escalating employment crisis in the sector.

Speaking on The Point of View on Channel One TV, Mr. Akandoh disclosed that the number of unemployed health workers currently stands at about 74,000, and is projected to more than double over the next three years due to continuous graduations from health training institutions.

“By the end of 2026, we will have an additional 23,000. By 2027, another 35,000. And by 2028, around 47,000 more. So if we don’t employ anyone between now and then, Ghana will have not less than 180,000 trained health professionals sitting at home,” he explained.

The Minister noted that government is developing a gradual recruitment strategy to absorb health workers into the system, while also pursuing international employment opportunities to reduce the pressure.

“There is a strategy going forward. The plan is for government to gradually employ more as resources allow,” he said.

Mr. Akandoh further revealed that Ghana is exploring ‘managed migration’ initiatives to place qualified health professionals in countries facing workforce shortages.

“We are engaging with about 13 countries that have expressed interest in hiring Ghanaian health workers. The challenge, however, is that most of them are requesting specialists,” he added.

He also stated that it would take no less than GHS6 billion annually to clear the current backlog of unemployed health professionals.

The Minister’s comments come amid mounting pressure from unemployed nurses and midwives demanding recruitment and criticism from the Minority in Parliament, who accuse the government of failing to effectively manage health sector employment.