The Ministry of Health has secured a new pathway for qualified Ghanaian nurses to access employment opportunities in the United States after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Ghana and the City of Columbus, Ohio.

The agreement, signed by the Ministries of Health and Labour, Jobs and Employment, follows months of technical discussions with US counterparts and sets the stage for detailed arrangements on the ethical recruitment and deployment of Ghanaian health professionals, particularly nurses.

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said the MoU goes beyond recruitment, stressing that any deployment arrangement must protect the rights, welfare and professional interests of Ghanaian health workers.

He said the initiative forms part of the Ministry’s efforts to secure credible and decent international employment opportunities for Ghanaian health professionals in line with Ghana’s Migration Policy and international standards.

According to him, the partnership builds on the existing Sister-City relationship between Accra and Columbus and Ghana Labour Exchange Programme.

The Minister assured that the ministry will continue to pursue partnerships that create decent jobs for Ghanaian health professionals abroad, in line with Ghana’s Migration Policy, international best practices and global standards, while ensuring that the welfare and professional rights of those recruited remain protected.

Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has announced plans to provide live coverage of General Assembly and Town Hall meetings across Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

According to the Minister, he has engaged the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to roll out the programme.

In a post, he explained that the initiative aims to strengthen transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in local governance, in line with the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).

“We also hope this initiative will generate greater public interest in and participation in the upcoming District-Level Elections, while encouraging more citizens to actively engage in the decentralisation process,” he stated.

He added that the move will help build more transparent, accountable and responsive local institutions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme