The Government has deployed 47 Ghanaian health professionals to St. Kitts and Nevis under the Ghana Labour Exchange Programme (GLEP), describing the initiative as a major step towards creating structured overseas employment opportunities for unemployed health workers.
The latest batch, made up of 15 Community Health Nurses and 32 General Nurses, departed Ghana under the government-managed programme, which seeks to facilitate ethical and regulated labour migration while strengthening bilateral cooperation between Ghana and partner countries.
Addressing the departure ceremony on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo said the initiative marked “the beginning of a new dawn” in Ghana’s approach to labour mobility.
She explained that the programme was designed to address the growing challenge of unemployment among trained health professionals, noting that more than 105,000 qualified health workers remain without jobs despite completing their training.
According to her, many unemployed professionals would have sought employment abroad independently, often without legal protection or formal employment arrangements.
“GLEP changes that. It creates legal, dignified and beneficial pathways for our health workers to serve abroad while Ghana retains the relationship, the knowledge and the benefits that come from their service,” she said.
She noted that the deployment forms part of the government’s broader strategy to promote safe, organised and mutually beneficial labour migration through state-to-state partnerships.
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo linked the initiative to the Accra Reset agenda championed by President Mahama and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, which seeks to strengthen international cooperation with health as a key area of engagement.
She urged the nurses to uphold Ghana’s reputation by observing the laws of St. Kitts and Nevis and maintaining high standards of professionalism and ethical conduct throughout their assignment.
“You are Ghanaians first. As you go, you carry Ghana with you. Make us proud. You are going the legal and structured way, and you must stay legal,” she advised.
The Deputy Chief of Staff also reminded the health professionals that the programme is intended to build their experience and skills, with the expectation that they would eventually return to contribute to Ghana’s healthcare system.
“We are not sending you away permanently. We are sending you out to grow, so that Ghana grows with you,” she said.
She further assured the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis of Ghana’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expressed confidence that the host country would provide the necessary support for the deployed professionals to succeed.
The deployment is the second batch of health professionals to leave under the current administration through the Ghana Labour Exchange Programme.
