Ghana, Barbados sign major port, health agreements

Ghana and Barbados have signed an international sister port agreement. The two nations have also signed a health agreement for the recruitment of Ghanaian Registered Nurses for Barbados. About 120 nurses are expected to be recruited following the desire of both countries to enhance cooperation in the field of health and wellness and to further promote the friendly relationship between their people. Objective The objective of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to develop a framework for an effective and efficient voluntary recruitment of various categories of Ghanaian registered nurses to work in the health sector of Barbados. The MoU shall take effect from the date it would be ratified by the Parliament of Ghana. Ghana will take the necessary steps to advertise the details of the recruitment process for the nurses in accordance with set criteria. It will ensure that the nurses have met the regulatory requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana. Ghana will ensure that the nurses have the level and scope of expertise as agreed on by the parties, including a minimum of three (3) years’ experience plus the corresponding specialty. On their part, the Government of Barbados will ensure that the Ghanaian nurses are entitled to and enjoy the same rights and privileges as other nurses employed by the State. The Caribbean nation is also expected to comply with international workforce policies as well as the International Council of Nurses code of ethics in respect of the Nurses under this MoU. Port Deal The port agreement is between the Port of Bridgetown, Barbados, and the port of Tema, Ghana. The agreement was signed at the Jubilee House on Friday, November 15, 2019, in Accra, by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and her counterpart from Barbados Dr Walcott The scope of the sister port agreement includes the facilitation of exchange of commercial, technological and operational information in seeking to improve the visibility, trade and relationship between the two ports for mutual benefit. The Port of Bridgetown and the Port of Tema currently enjoy link by trade with two of the main shipping lines operating at the Port of Tema which are CGM and CMA. Between both ports, substantial trade opportunities exist including but not limited to Barbados exports of rum, artificial parts of the body and cement as well as expanded export opportunities for Ghana, with Barbados, due to its proximity, serving as a trans shipment point for goods exported to Latin American countries. The Board of Directors of the Port of Bridgetown formally established its sister port relationship with the Port of Tema. The agreement is also with the objectives to among others, promote both ports in a manner consistent with achieving the objective of facilitating the expansion of trade between, share information on best practices in the maritime industry and in line with the specific development goals of both ports, facilitate training and expertise exchanges to enhance the human capacity of both ports to fulfil and achieve their individual objectives. Furthermore, it is intended to facilitate engagements to promote awareness and market intelligence sharing among businesses, private sector and other stakeholders. The move is to raise awareness on opportunities to capitalize on the potential expanded trade and by positioning both ports as the sustainable and efficient gateway for goods entering into both regions. Source: 3news.com | Ghana]]>