Pantang Hospital Hit Hard as 150 Skilled Health Workers Leave Ghana in Six Years

Nearly 150 skilled nurses and healthcare professionals from Pantang Hospital have left Ghana over the past six years, seeking better opportunities abroad. Among those who have departed, 100 are specialized psychiatric and general nurses, while the rest include doctors, pharmacists, technicians, and other essential healthcare personnel.

In response to this critical trend, the Caucus for Democratic Governance, Ghana (CDG-GH), held a public forum titled “The Alarming Exodus of Skilled Labor from Ghana: Political and Economic Strategies for Trend Reversal and Immediate Action.” The forum tackled the country’s growing brain drain crisis, with CDG-GH warning that this skilled labor migration threatens Ghana’s productivity, competitiveness, and essential public services.

The CDG-GH called for a “multi-faceted approach” to reverse the trend, suggesting competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and improved working conditions as immediate incentives. They also emphasized the need to foster local entrepreneurship, upgrade healthcare infrastructure, and retain top talents by enhancing social services.

Mr. Korsin Dzokoto, a seasoned finance expert with over 16 years of experience, weighed in during an interview, urging Ghanaians to vote for the NDC in the upcoming elections to restore confidence and integrity in the economy. Dzokoto criticized the current administration for excessive borrowing and economic mismanagement, citing the Vice President’s phrase, “If the fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you.” He attributed Ghana’s economic struggles to what he described as the ruling party’s inability to manage global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Dzokoto also highlighted that former President Mahama’s proposed reforms include tax incentives to attract investors and create jobs, with a special focus on the younger workforce. He further advocated for a strategy to engage the Ghanaian diaspora in contributing their expertise to national development.

By Madjid Diallo || ghananewsonline.com.gh