GRNMA calls for measures to end nurses and midwives leaving the country in droves

More than ten thousand nurses and midwives have left Ghana in search of better working conditions abroad.

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) says the trend, if left unchecked, could cripple the country’s healthcare system.

Figures from the GRNMA show that over 3,000 nurses emigrated in 2023 alone. In 2024, the number rose sharply to more than 4,000.

The Ghana Health Service estimates that over 10,000 nurses and midwives have now exited the country placing enormous strain on those still working in local hospitals.

Health experts warn the figure could triple by the end of the year unless swift action is taken.

Speaking at this year’s International Day of Nurses and Midwives on May 12, GRNMA President Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo called for urgent improvements to working conditions to curb the mass exodus.

“Some of our colleagues have also emigrated seeking greener pastures elsewhere. It is all because they complain that their pay is not good, the working conditions are not the best they need equipment to work with they are not there. So, they have left and once they have left and they have not been replaced what we have is increased workload, and where there is increased workload the resultant effect is burn out among some of our nurses and midwives. The solution is simple, we need to find a way that we ethically manage migration,” she said.

Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, responded by assuring that the government is preparing to roll out a new policy to address the crisis.

“Dear nurses and midwives I bring hope. In just 120 days, the NDC government under President Mahama has taken bold steps to turn the tide and improve the situation. We have allocated 480 million cedis in the 2025 budget for nursing training allowances. We have uncapped the National Health Insurance Levy so we have 9.93 billion cedis for claim payment for essential medicines and vaccines.”

“As part of it, there is going to be a systemic address of the brain drain and there is going to be a legal and structured deployment of Ghanaian nurses to countries,” she assured.

Poor remuneration remains a major concern. A revised conditions of service document remains unsigned, fueling frustration among health workers.

Practitioners in deprived communities also complain about the lack of allowances, inadequate infrastructure, and inconsistent water supply all of which hinder effective service delivery.

Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo renewed her call for urgent reforms.

“Our colleagues are demotivated because our working conditions, including our monthly remuneration is not the best. Most importantly, our collective agreement signed with the employer as far back as May 2024 has not been implemented. We as leaders, we are going to engage to have it implemented but it continues to delay. We know what to do,” she said.

The Deputy chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo assured government commitment to roll out initiatives to address the challenges.

“We are implementing a health worker development scheme that is focused on structured training, scholarship schemes and professional growth of nurses and Midwives. We are establishing a risk health insurance to protect health workers including nurses and Midwives,” she assured.

Other speakers at the event stressed the need for a long-term policy framework that supports nurses and midwives without increasing their burden.

This year’s theme for the International Day of Nurses and Midwives is “Caring for Nurses and Midwives Strengthens Economies.”

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