The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about Africa’s health workforce, noting that despite progress in training professionals, many people across the continent still lack access to proper healthcare.

At a press briefing on Wednesday unveiling the State of the Health Workforce in Africa 2026 report, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Yakub Janabi, said the region stands “at a turning point.”

Mr Janabi noted that while Africa has made “real progress” in expanding its health workforce, the transformation needed to improve healthcare delivery remains incomplete.

“Africa is training more health workers than ever before, yet nearly one million trained professionals are unemployed, while millions still lack essential services,” he said.

According to the report, the continent’s health workforce has more than tripled over the past decade, rising from about 1.6 million in 2013 to 5.7 million in 2024.

However, Africa still has only about 46 per cent of the workforce it needs, with a projected shortage of roughly six million health workers by 2030.

The WHO also highlighted unemployment rates of up to 27 per cent among trained professionals in some countries, the migration of about one in ten workers, and persistent quality gaps in care.

“The challenge is no longer just numbers,” Mr Janabi said. “It is about jobs, distribution, quality and retention.”

He added that the newly launched Africa Health Workforce Agenda (2026–2035) aims to create three million additional jobs for health workers through targeted investment and better planning.

Speaking at the briefing, Ghana’s Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, described a similar paradox in his country, where more than 100,000 trained health professionals remain unemployed despite existing gaps in healthcare delivery.

Mr Akandoh said Ghana currently has about 102,000 active health workers but continues to struggle with absorbing newly trained professionals into the system.

“It is important for us to move beyond conversations and focus on solutions,” he said, noting that the government is working to recruit between 15,000 and 25,000 health workers annually over the next three years.

He added that Ghana is also exploring partnerships with the private sector, introducing volunteer programmes, and implementing a labour exchange initiative to manage migration and create opportunities for professionals.

Dr Adelheid Onyango, Director of Health Systems and Services, WHO African Region, said stronger collaboration between health, finance, and planning ministries is important to ensure workforce investments align with actual healthcare needs.

Mr Janabi also urged countries to set aside about three to five per cent of their health budgets for training workers, while moving from expensive workshops to more affordable digital learning.

He emphasised that incentives such as housing, career progression, and better working conditions are key to retaining skilled professionals, especially in rural areas.