By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
More than 120 Ghanaian nurses have been deployed to Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados as part of the government’s three-year Health Workers Exchange Programme, a bilateral initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation in the health sector between Ghana and its partner countries.
The programme is designed to promote skills transfer, professional development, and knowledge sharing, while also addressing workforce needs in participating countries. Under the arrangement, Ghanaian nurses are offered the opportunity to work in partner health systems for a defined period, gaining international exposure and enhancing their clinical and professional competencies.
Government officials say the initiative reflects Ghana’s growing reputation as a source of well-trained and highly skilled health professionals. By participating in structured exchange programmes rather than unregulated migration, the government aims to ensure that the deployment of health workers abroad is orderly, mutually beneficial, and aligned with national health sector priorities.
The nurses deployed to Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados are expected to support healthcare delivery in various public health facilities, particularly in areas experiencing shortages of skilled nursing staff. In return, the programme provides avenues for professional growth, improved working conditions, and exposure to diverse healthcare systems and technologies.
The Health Workers Exchange Programme also underscores Ghana’s commitment to international cooperation and South–South partnerships in the health sector. Officials have noted that lessons learned and skills acquired by participating nurses will contribute to strengthening Ghana’s own healthcare system upon their return.
As the three-year programme progresses, government authorities indicate that further deployments to other partner countries may be considered, depending on assessments of domestic staffing needs and the outcomes of the current exchanges. The initiative is expected to enhance Ghana’s global standing in healthcare delivery while creating structured opportunities for its health workforce to thrive.
