Life is renowned for its unpredictability, encompassing moments of joy, hardship, and adversity.
While some individuals experience a smooth journey towards success, others must navigate a rough path before reaping the benefits of their labor.
In Ghana, a group of nurses is voicing their discontent over unfavorable working conditions and inadequate salaries, among other concerns. One Ghanaian nurse, having relocated to the United Kingdom (UK), shared her remarkable transformation after opting to work within the UK’s National Health Service.
During an appearance on the Citi Breakfast show on August 3, 2023, this Ghanaian nurse, now based in the UK, revealed that the combination of meager wages and other factors heavily influenced her decision to exchange Ghana’s healthcare system for that of the UK.
She explained that since her move to the United Kingdom, her income has substantially increased, even after accounting for tax deductions. Nurses in the UK are compensated based on the shifts they work, resulting in earnings determined by the hours they dedicate to their roles.
Elaborating further, she stated, “Payment is tied to shifts. Even if your hourly wage is 15 pounds, working a 12-hour shift four times a week multiplies your earnings. If my monthly income amounts to 2800 pounds, after deducting around 500 pounds for taxes and rent, I can still save approximately 800 pounds.”
Encouraging Ghanaian nurses aspiring to practice abroad, she emphasized that such a move could lead to higher earnings compared to working in Ghana.
Meanwhile, a growing number of Ghanaian nurses and trained healthcare professionals are securing visas to work overseas, a trend they attribute to unfavorable working conditions in their home country. According to a report by the BBC, as many as 1,200 nurses departed Ghana to join the UK workforce in 2022.
Consequently, Ghana’s healthcare system is grappling with significant shortages of medical professionals, placing immense strain on hospitals across the nation. Coupled with soaring inflation, the country’s economy is facing considerable challenges, resulting in a higher cost of living.
In essence, the narrative showcases the allure of better opportunities abroad for Ghanaian nurses, stemming from their dissatisfaction with local conditions and echoing the strain this has placed on Ghana’s healthcare system and economy.