The Government of Ghana has secured a new pathway for qualified Ghanaian nurses and other health professionals to access employment opportunities in the United States following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the City of Columbus, Ohio.
The agreement, signed by Ghana’s Ministries of Health and Labour, Jobs and Employment after months of technical discussions with their US counterparts, is expected to establish a framework for the ethical recruitment and deployment of Ghanaian health professionals.
According to the Ministry of Health, nurses are expected to be among the key beneficiaries of the partnership as both sides work towards detailed arrangements for employment opportunities in Columbus.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, said the agreement was not solely focused on recruitment but would also ensure that the rights and welfare of Ghanaian health workers are protected.
He stressed that any deployment arrangement must safeguard the “rights, welfare and professional interests” of Ghanaian health professionals.
Mr Akandoh said the initiative forms part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to create credible and decent international employment opportunities for Ghanaian health professionals in accordance with Ghana’s Migration Policy and relevant international standards.
He explained that the partnership builds on the existing sister-city relationship between Accra and Columbus, as well as the Ghana Labour Exchange Programme.
The Minister assured health professionals that the government would continue to pursue international partnerships that provide decent employment opportunities while protecting the welfare and professional rights of recruited workers.
He added that such engagements would be guided by Ghana’s Migration Policy, international best practices and global standards.
The agreement is expected to provide a structured avenue for qualified Ghanaian nurses and other health professionals to seek employment opportunities in Columbus, Ohio, while establishing safeguards for their recruitment and deployment.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar