With countries in the West facing a shortage of skilled health care workers; Ghana is now finalising an agreement with Germany to export nurses. This was made known by Mr Joe Danquah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Middle Belt Development Authority (MBDA).
According to Mr Joe, the Authority was holding extensive discussions with the German health institutions; as the agreement would provide opportunities for German health professionals to offer in-service training; for the qualified, selected Ghanaian nurses to meet certain requirements.
The agreement was signed on Friday, 15th November, 2019, at Jubilee House, when the Prime Minister of Barbados, Her Excellency Mia Mottley; paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; as part of her official visit to Ghana.
The objective of the Agreement was also to provide the framework for the provision of the nurses by the Republic of Ghana to Barbados; therefore taking cognisance of the existing commitment of Barbados to accepted international workforce policies; and practices as well as the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics for nurses.
Furthermore, the scope of services and responsibilities of the Barbados and Ghana agreement, included; Ghana providing registered nurses to Barbados with a level of expertise as agreed to by both countries; and Barbados providing Ghanaian nurses safe and secure working conditions for professional practice, medical treatment where needed.