Ghanaian nurses and teachers to work in Jamaica – Okudzeto Ablakwa

There’s some very exciting news for Ghanaian nurses and teachers who have been looking for greener pastures abroad. Ghana has signed a new deal with Jamaica that will soon allow our trained professionals to travel there for work. This was announced by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, following a meeting with the Jamaican Foreign Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith.

According to Mr. Ablakwa, this special agreement was made during the recent Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) summit held in Brussels, Belgium. After their bilateral talks, both countries agreed to a unique partnership that will help ease unemployment pressure in Ghana and provide valuable support for Jamaica’s workforce.

In a Facebook post dated Saturday, May 24, 2025, Mr. Ablakwa described the meeting as “immensely successful,” adding that it would open fresh doors for qualified nurses and teachers in Ghana.

“This new arrangement creates real opportunities for our professionals who are ready to work abroad,” he wrote.

Why This Matters for Ghanaian Nurses and Teachers

In Ghana today, many trained professionals—especially nurses and teachers—are sitting at home without jobs. Every year, thousands graduate from nursing training colleges and universities with dreams of serving the nation. But because of government budget limitations and fewer vacancies in the public sector, many of these young people end up frustrated and jobless.

It’s a similar story for newly trained teachers. They complete their training, and sometimes do their national service, but later discover that posting opportunities are limited. Some even wait years before they are absorbed into the system. So this new agreement with Jamaica comes at the right time for these professionals.

For these unemployed and underemployed graduates, Jamaica offers new hope. The country has a shortage of nurses and teachers, and they are willing to recruit well-trained professionals from Ghana to fill those gaps. Apart from the job opportunities, Ghanaian professionals can also expect better working conditions and higher salaries than what they would earn locally.

What Is in the Agreement?

The partnership between Ghana and Jamaica is more than just jobs. It is a long-term plan to deepen the relationship between the two countries. Mr. Ablakwa mentioned that there will be regular political consultations, and both countries will collaborate on trade, education, agriculture, tourism, culture, and sports.

Let’s break this down in a way every Ghanaian can understand:

1. Employment Opportunities

Nurses and teachers will be able to apply for jobs in Jamaica through official channels.

The Jamaican government will recognize Ghanaian qualifications under this agreement.

Ghanaian workers will enjoy decent pay, housing, and improved conditions of service.

2. Trade and Agriculture

Ghanaian farmers and agribusinesses will get access to new markets in the Caribbean.

This means crops like yam, cocoa, pineapples, cassava, and even shea butter could find new buyers in Jamaica.

3. Tourism Promotion

Ghana and Jamaica are both rich in culture, music, and natural beauty.

Tourism exchange means both countries can encourage their citizens to visit each other.

This will boost revenue for businesses in both nations.

4. Cultural and Sports Exchange

Musicians, actors, dancers, and athletes from Ghana will get more opportunities to perform and collaborate with their Jamaican counterparts.

Joint festivals, sports tournaments, and exchange programs will help promote both cultures.

5. Education and Training

There may be student exchange programs and teacher training collaborations.

Ghanaian students may be able to study in Jamaica and vice versa.

Deep Historical Ties Between Ghana and Jamaica

One of the most touching parts of Mr. Ablakwa’s message was his reminder that Ghana and Jamaica share deep roots. Many Jamaicans are descendants of West Africans who were taken away during the transatlantic slave trade. Some of those people were taken from the Gold Coast, now known as Ghana.

Because of this history, many Jamaicans see Ghana as their ancestral home. Over the years, several Jamaican musicians, athletes, and cultural figures have visited Ghana. Some have even taken Ghanaian names or started investing in our country.

In Mr. Ablakwa’s own words:

“Ghana and Jamaica are set to expand the frontiers of our inseparable historical relations.”

This agreement is more than just paperwork—it’s about reconnecting families that were separated centuries ago. It’s about building new bonds through jobs, education, and culture.

Reactions from Ghanaians

Since the announcement was made public, many Ghanaians, especially on social media, have welcomed the news. Here are some of the common sentiments:

Nurses and Teachers are excited. Some say they have been waiting for opportunities like this since completing school.

Parents of unemployed graduates are relieved, hoping their children can finally earn a decent living.

Youth advocates are urging the government to create similar partnerships with other countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK.

Critics are also asking the government to focus more on creating jobs locally so that our professionals don’t always have to go abroad.

What Happens Next?

Now that the announcement has been made, the next step is for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and the Ghana Immigration Service to work together with their Jamaican counterparts.

Here are a few things to expect:

Clear application processes will be published soon.

The Ministry will likely open a portal or partner with agencies to collect applications.

Officials may begin screening and verifying certificates.

There may be orientation or pre-departure training for selected candidates.

Travel arrangements and work permits will be processed in batches.

This kind of structured agreement reduces the risk of exploitation and illegal migration, which some Ghanaians have sadly faced when traveling without proper documentation.

Final Thoughts

Ghana has been producing a lot of intelligent, hard-working professionals who are unfortunately left idle due to lack of jobs. Agreements like this one with Jamaica give hope to our youth that their talents can still be useful and appreciated—even if not at home, at least somewhere in the world.

More importantly, this move reminds us that Ghana has a global brand of excellence, especially in the fields of health and education. Other countries see the value in our people.

This new chapter between Ghana and Jamaica is a win-win. We help them meet their workforce needs, and they help us reduce unemployment and grow the potential of our citizens.