Ghana to supply teachers, nurses to US Virgin Islands under new bilateral agreement

Ghana and the US Virgin Islands have agreed to formalize a partnership in November 2026 to recruit Ghanaian nurses and teachers, addressing critical staff shortages in the territory. The collaboration aims to provide a framework for cooperation on the recruitment of these professionals. The agreement follows talks between a Ghanaian delegation, including representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Job Creation, and senior officials of the Virgin Islands government at Government House on St. Thomas.

Discussions focused on identifying qualified candidates to fill local positions. The specific number of nurses and teachers expected to be recruited and their qualifications remain undisclosed. This initiative aligns with Ghana's broader strategy to establish international labour partnerships, creating employment opportunities for skilled professionals while addressing workforce shortages in various countries.

Ghana has previously signed an MoU with Columbus, Ohio, in September 2026, focusing on creating employment opportunities for Ghanaian nurses. The Virgin Islands discussions may extend these efforts to the education sector, potentially benefiting Ghanaian teachers alongside nurses. Ghana's Labour Exchange Programme has already facilitated the deployment of 121 nurses and midwives to Antigua and Barbuda in January 2026, demonstrating the government's commitment to addressing unemployment among trained professionals and meeting international demand for skilled workers.