Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has urged African governments to take immediate steps to address the growing challenge of retaining trained health professionals, warning that failure to act could erode years of investment in the continent’s health sector.

Addressing participants at the Second Africa Health Workforce Investment Forum in Accra on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, she highlighted a key issue dominating discussions: despite producing large numbers of health workers, many African countries are unable to retain them within their systems.

She described the situation as a critical policy concern that requires urgent attention, stressing that retention should be treated as a central pillar of development planning.

According to her, the health workforce plays a vital role not only in service delivery but also in driving economic growth, human capital development, and national stability across the continent.

She further noted that strengthening deployment systems, improving working conditions, and ensuring dignified employment are essential to keeping skilled professionals within African health systems.

The Vice President linked strong health systems to broader development goals under the African Union’s Agenda 2063, adding that improved health outcomes contribute directly to productivity and economic resilience.

While acknowledging progress made over the past two decades, including better life expectancy and expanded access to healthcare, she cautioned that these gains remain fragile without a stable and motivated workforce.

Her comments come amid increasing migration of African health professionals to developed countries, driven largely by improved pay and working conditions abroad.

She called on stakeholders at the forum, including policymakers, development partners, and labour representatives, to focus on practical interventions that both expand training and ensure retention of skilled personnel within their home countries.

The forum convened key actors from across the continent to explore strategies for strengthening health systems and improving service delivery.