Government Working to Clear Backlog of 70,000 Unemployed Health Workers – Health Minister

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has assured the public that the government is actively addressing the backlog of over 70,000 unemployed health workers across the country.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Friday, July 18, the Minister acknowledged the magnitude of the unemployment crisis among qualified health professionals, but stressed that concrete steps are being taken to resolve it.

“We recognise the challenge of over 70,000 qualified health workers currently awaiting employment, but I want to assure you that we are working tirelessly to clear this backlog,” Mr. Akandoh said.

He reported that more than 10,000 nurses and midwives have been successfully recruited over the past six months, with further recruitments expected soon across multiple healthcare disciplines.

Mr. Akandoh also addressed concerns from unemployed pharmacists, revealing that the Ministry has begun processing salary arrears for 321 Pharmacist House Officers who completed their training in 2024.

“While 1,621 qualified pharmacists await permanent employment, we are prioritising their recruitment as part of strengthening our health workforce,” he added.

He reiterated that the government is committed to creating job opportunities across all categories of health workers, and emphasized that these efforts are central to building a stronger and more resilient healthcare system.

“This is just one example of our broader commitment to clearing the backlog across all health worker cadres, ensuring every qualified professional has the chance to serve and strengthen Ghana’s health system,” he concluded.