Health Minister, Dr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has revealed that more than 70,000 trained health professionals are currently at home awaiting posting.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Tuesday, August 19, he explained that the figure covers general nurses and specialised professionals, and represents a backlog inherited before the current government assumed office.

"We have not less than 70,000 health professionals sitting at home. Doctors, Allied Health Scientists and nurses and all that, and so we have a challenge," he disclosed.

Dr Akandoh noted that to address the challenge, government has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with several countries to facilitate the export of health labour. "About 13 countries have responded and we are now agreeing on our MoUs with them."

However, he pointed out that while partner countries are demanding more specialised professionals, there is less interest in general nurses. "The challenge is that, if you look at the request from the various countries and even our (African) countries, the request is high when it comes to specialists than ordinary nurses."

The Minister assured that government is exploring various strategies to manage the backlog and create opportunities for unemployed health professionals.

According to him, one of such internal approaches is to employ them on annual basis. "We are looking at how Ghana Government will continue to employ them every year."