By James Amoh Jnr, GNA
Accra, May 27, GNA – The first batch of Ghanaian nurses and other health professionals are expected to begin work in Jamaica in June 2026 following the signing of a bilateral health workforce mobility agreement between Ghana and Jamaica in Accra.
The agreement, signed during the Third Session of the Ghana-Jamaica Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC), is aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery in Jamaica while creating international employment and professional development opportunities for Ghanaian health workers.
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, announced that both countries would immediately begin implementation arrangements following the signing ceremony.
“Following today’s signing ceremony, our ministries and technical teams will immediately proceed with the implementation arrangements, and this includes operational coordination mechanisms, deployment schedules, credential verification and licensing process, orientation and pre-departure preparations, welfare and support system for deployed personnel,” he said.
Mr Akandoh disclosed that subject to the completion of final administrative processes, the first batch of Ghanaian health professionals is expected to depart for Jamaica in June 2026.
“This is quite ambitious, but I think we must beat the deadline. That is what will speak to the impact of what you are signing today. The walking the talk is what is important,” he added.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Bilateral Health Workforce Mobility forms part of broader efforts by Ghana and Jamaica to deepen south-south cooperation and strengthen longstanding historical and diplomatic ties.
The agreement seeks to establish a formal framework for the deployment of Ghanaian health professionals to Jamaica, facilitate skills exchange, strengthen healthcare workforce capacity and promote sustainable bilateral cooperation in the health sector.
It marks a significant step in Ghana’s growing engagement with Caribbean nations while reflecting the increasing importance of South-South cooperation in addressing global development challenges.
The agreement is also expected to create new opportunities for Ghanaian healthcare professionals seeking international exposure, improved career development and specialised training while contributing to healthcare delivery in Jamaica.
Ghana and Jamaica have expressed optimism that the arrangement would strengthen not only healthcare systems but also the longstanding historical and cultural ties between Ghana and Jamaica.
Mr Akandoh said extensive technical consultations, legal review and diplomatic engagements had been made between the two countries before reaching the signing stage.
He noted that Ghana remained committed to promoting ethical recruitment practices consistent with international standards and principles of fairness, transparency, dignity and mutual benefit.
The Minister commended Jamaica for its commitment towards fair labour conditions, professional protection and safe working environments for Ghanaian health professionals.
“We believe this partnership will serve as a model for responsible international cooperation on health workforce in Africa and in the Caribbean,” he stated.
Dr Christopher Tufton, Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness, described the agreement as a major step towards addressing workforce shortages within Jamaica’s health sector.
He said Jamaica intended to fast-track its implementation to ensure the early deployment of Ghanaian nurses and healthcare specialists.
“We are the country of fast, so we want to do a USAID boat sprint to the implementation of this agreement and I think it’s very possible with all the committed persons here in the room,” he stated humorously.
Dr Tufton explained that the partnership would support Jamaica’s efforts to address shortages of nurses, doctors and specialists in critical healthcare areas.
“An agreement such as this is not only keeping with our Vision for Health 2030 Plan but is fully aligned with the Ministry of Health and Wellness Jamaica’s Human Resources for Health Stabilisation Strategy and our National Development Plan Vision 2030,” he said.
According to him, Jamaica had already established an International Recruitment Unit to coordinate all overseas recruitment activities, including bilateral recruitment arrangements and engagement with the diaspora.
The unit, he explained, would focus on mitigating workforce shortages in specialised fields such as nursing, midwifery, intensive care and other priority clinical areas.
Dr Tufton said the agreement represented a practical example of how countries could collaborate to strengthen global healthcare systems through partnerships rather than competition.
“Today is a good day for public health and for international cooperation in health as this signing is an important step that will shape the future of healthcare for both countries,” he said.
He noted that Jamaica and Ghana would further strengthen collaboration in areas such as pharmaceutical cooperation, primary healthcare reform, management of non-communicable diseases and national health insurance systems.
The Jamaican Health Minister praised Ghana for making significant strides in universal health coverage and infectious disease control, saying Jamaica looked forward to learning from Ghana’s experiences in those areas.
Dr Tufton also emphasised the importance of global partnerships in healthcare delivery.
“We have to stem the inequality that exists between those who have in abundance and those who don’t have in terms of universal access to healthcare and we have to demonstrate that together through partnership we’re far better off,” he said.
He added that advances in technology, air travel and diplomacy had made international healthcare cooperation more achievable despite geographical distance.
The Third Session of the Ghana-Jamaica PJCC brought together ministers, diplomats, technical experts and senior government officials from both countries to discuss enhanced cooperation in health, trade, tourism, education, culture and economic development.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: James Amoh Junior
Email: [email protected]