Mahama government signals possible reduction in nursing training intake
The Mahama government is considering reducing admissions into health training institutions as part of efforts to address a growing backlog of unemployed health professionals, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has said.
Akandoh said the move is under review because the number of graduates being produced annually by nursing and other health training colleges far exceeds available vacancies in public health facilities.
He made the comments on Friday (12 June) at the Volta Regional launch of the Free Primary Healthcare Policy in Ho.
“We must start analysing our admissions into nursing training colleges. What’s the point of training more if we cannot recruit them?” he said.
He said health training institutions currently admit about 34,000 to 35,000 students annually, but absorption into the health sector remains limited.
According to him, the imbalance between training output and recruitment capacity has contributed to significant employment pressure within the sector.
The minister said government is reviewing whether part of the resources used for large-scale admissions could instead be redirected into equipping health facilities.
“It’s up to all of us… whether to continue on this path or to drop that quota and invest in equipment,” he said.
The remarks come as Ghana expands its Free Primary Healthcare Policy, which is being piloted in 150 districts, including five in the Volta Region.
Volta Regional Minister James Gunu said the policy aims to improve access to healthcare, reduce inequality, and advance universal health coverage.
He called for broad collaboration to ensure successful implementation, stressing community involvement and partnerships across sectors.
During the launch, Akandoh also presented medical equipment, tricycles and bicycles to support the rollout of the programme in beneficiary districts.
The proposal to adjust admissions is expected to trigger debate among health sector stakeholders, particularly training institutions and student groups concerned about future intake levels and workforce planning.
