Ghana and the City of Columbus in the United States have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Ghana-Columbus Nursing Partnership Programme, aimed at strengthening nursing education, workforce development and healthcare collaboration.

The agreement is also expected to create legal pathways for qualified Ghanaian nurses to enter the growing healthcare market in Columbus, Ohio.

The MoU was signed at the Michael B. Coleman Government Center by Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, Minister for  Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum.

The partnership builds on the Sister-City agreement between Columbus and the Greater Accra Region established in 2015, with both sides seeking to deepen people-to-people and institutional exchanges.

Mayor Ginther said the partnership presents an opportunity for Columbus to benefit from Ghana’s investment in training nursing professionals while providing qualified nurses with opportunities to legally join the city’s healthcare workforce.

However, Mintah Akandoh stressed that the agreement goes beyond labour migration, describing it as a platform for skills transfer, institutional strengthening, joint research and health innovation.

Mr Agyekum also said the initiative could provide a framework for similar partnerships between Ghana and other states in the United States.

Deputy Head of Mission at Ghana’s Embassy in Washington D.C., Ambassador Jane Gasu Aheto, urged stakeholders to ensure the agreement translates into practical opportunities and tangible improvements in the lives of beneficiaries.

The partnership was facilitated by Buckeye Africa Exchange, StrideHx and Columbus Sister Cities International.