Govt urged to enter into contract with countries health personnel

Kumasi, April 25, GNA- A suggestion has been made to the Government to enter into contract with countries seeking to recruit Ghanaian health personnel to work abroad.

Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, immediate past President of youth in Action, a body of youth groupings who made the suggestion, said under the contract, terms for payment of specific fees, in respect of nurses and other staff should be clearly outlined.

Odeneho Appiah made the suggestion when he addressed a forum of a youth group, known as Today's Professionals Association at K.O., a suburb of Kumasi on Saturday.

He said "since no amount of improved service conditions and remuneration can stop the exodus of nurses, the only means by which the country can benefit from investment made on them is to enter into contract with countries recruiting them".

He stressed the need for the government to also encourage private individuals to invest in the establishment of nursing training colleges, to help train nurses to augment the number currently being turned out by the public nursing training colleges.

Odeneho Appiah stated, "with private involvement in the training of nurses, large numbers will be turned out, and if some decide to seek greener pastures abroad, many more will still remain to man the country's health facilities".

Mr. Osei Kofi, Patron of the Association, reminded professionals that the only way their training could be meaningful to society is when they are able to translate their skills to bring about more physical and positive changes to their communities.