The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that Ghana and Jamaica are at the final stage of signing a bilateral labour agreement to facilitate the ethical recruitment and deployment of Ghanaian health professionals to Jamaica.
Speaking during a meeting with the Jamaican health delegation, Hon. Akandoh said the agreement had completed all technical, legal, and diplomatic processes and was awaiting formal signing.
He disclosed that the first batch of Ghanaian health professionals is expected to depart for Jamaica in June this year, adding that the partnership would create employment opportunities, promote skills exchange, and strengthen healthcare systems in both countries.
The Health Minister stressed that the arrangement would be guided by internationally accepted ethical recruitment principles while prioritising the welfare and professional development of health workers.
For his part, Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Christopher Tufton, described the agreement as a major step toward addressing global healthcare inequalities and workforce shortages through South-South cooperation.
He noted that the partnership demonstrates how both countries can collaborate to enhance healthcare access, share expertise, and strengthen their health systems for the benefit of their people.
Hon. Akandoh has meanwhile directed officials of the Ministry of Health to begin implementation processes immediately after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Beyond workforce mobility, Ghana and Jamaica are also exploring collaboration in specialist medical training, public health, pharmaceutical cooperation, digital health systems, plant medicine research, and health emergency preparedness.
As part of the visit, the Jamaican delegation is expected to tour selected health facilities and regulatory institutions in the Greater Accra, Eastern, and Central Regions to deepen institutional partnerships and gain further insight into Ghana’s healthcare delivery systems.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
