Ten thousand two hundred and nine (10,209) nurses are seeking clearance from the Ministry of Health to leave the country, General Secretary of Ghana Nurses and Midwives Association David Tenkorang-Twum says.

Meanwhile, 4000 nurses have reportedly left the shores of Ghana between 2020 to 2022.

In the first quarter of 2023 alone, 309 nurses and midwives have gone leave without pay in the Ashanti region.

No specific quota for those who have travelled outside the country to seek greener pastures without seeking clearance.

Mr. Tenkorang-Twum said during a television phone interview that the government since it took power in 2017, had raised the price for clearance four times, from GH¢9, to GH¢20, GH¢100, GH¢200 to GH¢300, but the nurses wouldn’t mind to buy at it at the cost of GH¢10,000 if the need arises.

He described some of push factors as poor condition of service as well as renumeration.

This, he warned that there’s a looming danger of shortage of health professionals in the country