The Ghana Education Service (GES) has closed its teacher recruitment portal just three days after it opened.

The portal, which was originally scheduled to remain open until Friday, April 17, was shut early due to a record number of applications from teachers.

GES says, while it opened the recruitment portal for just 7,000 slots, about 40, 000 prospective applicants have submitted applications, informing their move to close the portal to manage the flow of submissions.

Speaking at a news conference in Accra, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, attributed the limited intake to budgetary constraints, despite the high demand for teaching jobs across the country.

“If resources were available, we would have been recruiting up to 50,000 teachers nationwide, but owing to budgetary constraints, we are unable to do that,” he said.

The Education Minister continued that,

Mr Iddrisu noted that the recruitment process had been conducted in a transparent manner, with approval granted to hire a limited number of qualified candidates.

“The Ministry of Education received clearance to recruit up to 7,000 teachers, both degree and diploma holders, and the process has been advertised in an open and transparent manner,” he explained.

He further described the overwhelming number of applications as a reflection of the growing demand for employment in the education sector.

“When the portal was opened for 7,000 teachers, we received over 40,000 applications. The Ghana Education Service subsequently closed it, and those who were fortunate to apply will be critically assessed based on their readiness, competence, and qualifications,” he added.

The Minister assured applicants that the selection process would be fair and merit-based.

Meanwhile, the government is currently making efforts to avert the looming unemployment crisis brooding in Ghana’s health sector.

Consequently, it is collaborating with other international partners to employ some skilled nurses as well as teachers. On Monday, October 27, the Ghanaian government, represented by Ghana’s Minister of Special Initiatives, Emmanuel Agyekum with with support from Mr Nelson Ndebah Ndebugre from the Office of the President, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a high-level meeting with Bahamian officials, including Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.

The bilateral deal is to facilitate the recruitment of Ghanaian teachers and nurses for employment opportunities in the Caribbean nation.

The signing of the MoU was announced in a communique, which highlighted that the new agreement is an important step forward in the partnership between the two countries, citing that Ghana is becoming a leader in sending skilled workers abroad and that the world has confidence in the talent and professionalism of the Ghanaian people.

“At the heart of this MoU is a shared vision aimed at improving cooperation and relations between Ghana and The Bahamas through people-centred development and mutually beneficial cooperation. As part of the initial phase of this collaboration, the recruitment of experienced Ghanaian teachers and nurses to serve in the Bahamas has commenced. This initiative proves that the trust that our international partners have in the quality of Ghanaian educators and healthcare workers, who have consistently demonstrated excellence, discipline, and dedication in shaping minds and healing the nations,” the communique read.

Under the initial phase of the collaboration, experienced Ghanaian teachers and nurses will be recruited to serve in the Bahamas.

It added that the programme is “only the beginning,” noting that the broader agreement provides a framework for future cooperation in commerce, culture, tourism, and human capital exchange.

“This initiative is a win-win for both countries. It opens new pathways for Ghana’s skilled professionals to share expertise and gain global exposure while earning decent livelihoods. For The Bahamas, it ensures access to competent teachers and nurses whose professionalism will enhance their education and health sectors.”

It further assured stakeholders that the welfare and fair treatment of Ghanaian recruits will remain a top priority, adding that recruitment processes will be transparent and the rights and safety of participants fully safeguarded.

“Though the conditions of the MoU remain confidential as part of diplomatic protocol, I would like to point out that its spirit and purpose are rooted in cooperation, respect, and shared prosperity.”

This is not the first time the Bahamas has recruited Ghanaian nurses to work in their country. Last year, the Bahamas' national broadcasting service, the ZNS Network, reported in 2024 that Ghanaian nurses were being recruited to help address staffing shortages in Bahamian hospitals.

According to Health Minister Dr Michael Darville, 18 Ghanaian speciality nurses were expected to arrive in The Bahamas by the end of October 2024 to support facilities like Princess Margaret Hospital and Rand Memorial Hospital, citing that this early recruitment was part of a bilateral healthcare support initiative.