Howard Catton, Chief Executive Officer of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), has called on high-income countries to fairly compensate African nations for recruiting their nurses.
Speaking at the fifth Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwifery Association (GRNMA) Awards and Dinner Night in Accra, Catton highlighted the adverse effects such recruitment has on healthcare delivery in Africa. He emphasised that the migration of nurses leaves health services in African countries stretched beyond capacity.
“There is a surge in international recruitment, which you know all too well,” he said. “I have heard directly from nurses in Ghana about the harmful impacts on healthcare delivery as services are already overstretched. Often, you are asked to take on even more. It is time for high-income countries to properly and fairly compensate African nations for the valuable resources—your nurses—that you provide.”
Catton proposed that any compensation from wealthier nations should be reinvested in nursing and healthcare systems in African countries. This, he explained, would help strengthen local capacities and enable these nations to train more nurses, mitigating the effects of migration.
He also pointed out that the United Nations recognises nurses as pivotal to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals. Catton urged nations like Ghana to prioritise significant investment in their nursing workforce to enhance their progress toward these goals.
At the event, Mrs. Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, President of GRNMA, expressed pride in the awards program, noting it serves as a powerful motivator for nurses, midwives, and other healthcare professionals. “Award recipients often become role models for their colleagues and interns,” she added. She encouraged nurses to continue delivering their best in healthcare facilities nationwide.
Nii Ahene Nunoo III, the Paramount Chief of Abola, also addressed the gathering, praising nurses and midwives as the backbone of the healthcare system. “Your commitment, compassion, and expertise ensure patients receive high-quality care. You are an essential link between patients and the healthcare system,” he said.
The evening celebrated numerous healthcare professionals, with Mrs. Miram Bonah from the Northern Region receiving the Overall Best Nurse and Midwife award for 2024. Mrs. Emilia Ofori Agyemang from the Greater Accra Region was named Best Regional Nurse for 2024, while the Volta Region was recognised as the Best Administrative Region.
