Accra: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has successfully recruited more than 7,200 health professionals as part of a nationwide recruitment exercise. These professionals are expected to begin their roles on July 1, 2026, as announced during a recent press conference in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Frederick Mensah Acheampong, Director of Human Resource for Health Development at the Ministry, stated that the recruitment initiative is aligned with the government's strategic goals to bolster the Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) policy and enhance healthcare delivery, especially in underserved communities. The recruitment effort, which received financial clearance in April, targets the employment of about 8,000 health professionals nationwide, addressing a significant backlog of over 105,000 unemployed health workers.
Mr. Acheampong explained that the recruitment process was informed by staffing norms, the annual human resource needs of ministry agencies, and the objectives of the FPHC policy. These objectives were developed in consultation with entities such as the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Ahmadiyya Health Services, and the Mental Health Authority, to determine allocation by profession and location. Priority was given to regions and districts with severe staffing shortages, particularly in Greater Accra, including districts like Ada West, Ada East, and Ningo-Prampram.
The Ministry introduced a recruitment portal to enhance transparency, with over 53,000 health professionals' records uploaded. The portal registered 30,226 allied health professionals, 16,860 nurses and midwives, 4,631 physician assistants, 2,975 pharmacists, 1,778 pharmacy technicians, and five foreign-trained Certified Registered Anaesthetists. Although 29,893 accounts were initiated, 2,636 applicants did not complete their profiles.
Mr. Acheampong noted that Registered General Nurses formed the largest group of applicants, with 4,158 applications, while Nurse Assistant Preventives and Registered Public Health Nurses received priority due to their roles in preventive and community healthcare. Notably, the Greater Accra and Eastern regions recorded 217 applications within the first five minutes of the portal opening.
The West Mamprusi District in the Northern Region had the highest success rate, with over 90 applicants securing placements. In a breakdown of successful applications, 6,245 nurses and midwives were recruited out of 6,500 slots, and 771 allied health professionals secured positions out of 900 available. Furthermore, 235 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians were recruited out of 250 slots, with all physician assistant positions filled. However, 87 vacancies remain unfilled, mainly for Registered Public Health Nurses, Mental Health Nurses, and five Certified Registered Anaesthetists in northern districts.
Mr. Acheampong mentioned plans to reopen the recruitment portal for a mop-up exercise to fill remaining vacancies and address staffing needs in specialized institutions. He also addressed allegations of fraud during the recruitment process, highlighting ongoing investigations in collaboration with security agencies.
The Director announced that the next phase would involve interviews and verification processes at the district level. He anticipated additional financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance to recruit more health professionals. Plans to recruit medical officers for rural areas and engage over 6,000 volunteers under a stipend-supported initiative were also disclosed, reinforcing the Ministry's commitment to equitable healthcare worker distribution and supporting Universal Health Coverage goals.