Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph has warmly welcomed a contingent of Ghanaian nurses to Antigua and Barbuda, describing their arrival as a historic and deeply symbolic moment for the nation’s healthcare system.

A total of 119 nurses—both male and female—arrived on the island at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Friday aboard a chartered flight at the V.C. Bird International Airport. Six delegates also travelled with the group.

Dressed in traditional African attire, Sir Molwyn was on hand to receive the nurses during a brief welcome ceremony at the airport.

“This is truly a delightful moment in the history of Antigua and Barbuda,” the Health Minister said. “This is perhaps the largest delegation to have crossed the Atlantic from Ghana on a single flight.”

Health Officials welcome Ghanaian medical professionals

Addressing the nurses directly, Sir Molwyn spoke of shared heritage and kinship.

“Let me say to the Ghanaians: you are our brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters does not mean we have the same parents. It means you have rejoined your family,” he said.

The minister also expressed gratitude to the President of Ghana for endorsing the initiative, noting that the partnership reflects strong ties between the two nations.

An official welcome ceremony is scheduled for Saturday. The nurses have been contracted for a three-year period.

Before being assigned to their respective units, the Ghanaian nurses will undergo a structured three-week orientation programme.

The onboarding process will include cultural orientation, familiarisation with Antigua and Barbuda’s healthcare systems, clinical alignment, and role-specific training to ensure a smooth transition into the workforce.

Health officials estimate that the country requires approximately 400 nurses to operate its healthcare system effectively. At present, there are about 260 local nurses and 33 Cuban nurses in service.

Health Officials welcome Ghanaian medical professionals

The addition of nearly 120 Ghanaian nurses is expected to bring staffing levels slightly above the minimum operational threshold and significantly improve the nurse-to-patient ratio, which currently stands at approximately one nurse to ten patients.

The government has pointed to the successful deployment of Ghanaian nurses in other Caribbean countries, including Barbados and The Bahamas, citing positive reports of their professionalism and performance as a key factor in the recruitment decision.