GOP Senator Criticizes Mayor Over International Nursing Program

Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio has criticized Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther over a memorandum of understanding between the city and the African nation of Ghana to promote a joint nursing program. Moreno stated that the $225,000 in public funds allocated for the program should instead be invested in Ohio’s domestic workforce.

Moreno expressed his disappointment in a letter to Mayor Ginther, asserting that the funds are being used to recruit nurses from overseas rather than investing in local nursing students and educational institutions. He also claimed that this initiative is part of a larger pattern where approximately $8.3 million in taxpayer dollars has been spent on noncitizens and foreign governments since Ginther took office.

The memorandum of understanding, signed in September, aims to strengthen nursing education, enhance workforce development, and create pathways for Ghanaian nurses to join Ohio's healthcare sector. However, Moreno contends that such programs could lead to American nurses being displaced by lower-cost foreign labor and that public funds are better utilized by expanding enrollment and training capacities at Ohio's colleges and universities.

"You were elected to serve the citizens of Columbus, not the citizens of Ghana," Moreno wrote. "Increasing publicly subsidized foreign nursing recruitment programs will likely negatively impact American nurses’ wages. These funds should be invested directly in Ohio nursing students and utilized to expand Ohio’s universities and colleges nursing programs’ capacity. I recommend you implement policies that invest public funds in American nurses."

Critics on social media have also questioned the use of taxpayer money for the program, suggesting it should prioritize local job opportunities. Some have pointed to past incidents, including allegations of fraud involving a nurse from Ghana who allegedly stole millions from Medicaid. The $225,000 grant was approved by Columbus City Council to Greater Columbus Sister Cities International to support exchanges with the city's sister cities, including Accra, Ghana.

Mayor Ginther's office stated that Ghana has invested significantly in training nursing professionals who can legally immigrate to fill a demand in Columbus. The agreement is also intended to facilitate mutual skills transfer, strengthen healthcare facilities, foster joint research, and improve patient health outcomes. Moreno urged the mayor to reallocate public funds toward expanding local nursing education programs to create jobs for younger generations and enhance patient care.