Ghana Health Service Urges Urgent Review of Specialist Workforce Strategy
Ghana Health Service Director of Nursing and Midwifery Dr Eva Mensah called for an overhaul of specialist workforce planning at the GCNM conference in Gomoa Fetteh.
In Brief
- •Ghana Health Service Director of Nursing and Midwifery Dr Eva Mensah called for an overhaul of specialist workforce planning at the GCNM conference in Gomoa Fetteh.
- •She highlighted that non‑communicable diseases now account for 43 % of all deaths and that institutional maternal mortality rose to 985 per 100,000 live births in 2025.
- •The call follows staffing norms set in 2014/2015 that are deemed inadequate for the country’s changing health needs.
- •The five‑day GCNM conference ran from 4 Oct to 8 Oct 2026 under the theme “Building a Resilient Specialist Nursing and Midwifery Workforce to Improve Health Outcomes.”
- •Key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and the GCNM, pledged to link specialist training to employment and to improve equitable distribution of health professionals.
Why It Matters
The health workforce is a critical determinant of health outcomes; without sufficient, well‑trained nurses, midwives and specialists, investments in hospitals and equipment cannot translate into better care. Rising non‑communicable diseases and maternal mortality underscore the urgency of aligning workforce capacity with disease burden, ensuring that Ghana can meet current and future health challenges. A comprehensive review of staffing norms and deployment strategies will help retain talent, reduce brain drain, and support the country’s goal of universal health coverage, ultimately improving population health and economic productivity.
Key Details
- NCD Mortality Share
- 43% of all causes of mortality
- Maternal Mortality Rate 2025
- 985 per 100,000 live births
- Staffing Norms Established
- 2014 (revised 2015)
- Conference Dates
- Oct 4–8 2026
- Conference Theme
- Building a Resilient Specialist Nursing and Midwifery Workforce to Improve Health Outcomes
Original Reporting & Sources
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