Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association Calls for Urgent Action to Halt the Migration of Nurses and Midwives Abroad





Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association Demands Urgent Measures to Curb the Migration of Nurses and Midwives to Foreign Countries.

Over ten thousand nurses and midwives have left the country in search of better opportunities abroad, raising concerns about the potential collapse of the nation’s healthcare system if the trend continues unchecked.

According to the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), over 3,000 health workers emigrated in 2023, and the number soared to more than 4,000 in 2024. The Ghana Health Service puts the total figure of those who have left at over 10,000, warning that this has put significant pressure on the already limited workforce in local hospitals.

Health experts caution that the numbers could triple by the end of 2025 unless proactive measures are taken.

During the International Day of Nurses and Midwives celebration on May 12, GRNMA President, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, emphasized the urgent need to improve the conditions under which nurses and midwives work. She attributed the mass departure to low salaries, poor working environments, and the lack of essential medical tools, which together are causing burnout among those still serving.

She stressed that managing migration in an ethical and strategic way is crucial. “Those who left have not been replaced, and this has created an overwhelming workload. It’s clear that we need immediate reforms,” she stated.

In response, Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo assured attendees that government is committed to reversing the trend. She revealed that the 2025 national budget includes GH¢480 million for nursing training allowances and an uncapped National Health Insurance Levy, allowing for GH¢9.93 billion to fund critical medications and vaccines.

She added that plans are underway to regulate the migration of nurses through structured agreements with foreign countries, while also launching a comprehensive development program aimed at offering scholarships, continuous training, and improved welfare for health workers.

Despite these assurances, many nurses remain frustrated over the government’s delay in implementing a revised conditions of service agreement signed in May 2024. Practitioners in underserved areas also raise concerns about poor infrastructure, irregular water supply, and the absence of incentives.

Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo renewed her call for the government to act quickly, stating that the lack of motivation continues to discourage many in the profession. “Our working conditions are not encouraging, and that is the root cause. We know what the issues are—we must now act,” she insisted.

Speakers at the event echoed the need for a long-term policy that enhances the well-being of nurses and midwives without placing additional burdens on them.

The 2025 theme for International Day of Nurses and Midwives was “Caring for Nurses and Midwives Strengthens Economies,” underscoring the vital role these professionals play in national development.



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