Nurses and midwives who were recruited in 2020 have cried out over the government’s failure to pay them up to eight months of their salaries, appealing directly to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene as they face unbearable financial hardship.
At a press conference held in Ejisu, the organizer of the Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives, Nana Agyei Sikapa, disclosed that hundreds of health professionals across the country have been left without pay for several months, despite being officially posted and serving in Ghana’s health facilities.
He described the situation as demoralising and inhumane, noting that many of his colleagues, who are the breadwinners of their families, are struggling to survive. According to him, some have been forced to rely on loans, goodwill from friends and relatives, and even personal sacrifices that compromise their health and dignity.
“Many of us are breadwinners. How can we provide quality healthcare when we’re hungry, stressed, and burdened by debt? We have sacrificed for this nation, but the government has turned a blind eye to our plight,” he lamented.
The Coalition warned that the prolonged delay in clearing the arrears could negatively impact the country’s healthcare delivery, as many of the affected nurses and midwives feel unmotivated and abandoned. Some, he said, are even contemplating abandoning post if their situation remains unresolved.
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has also thrown its weight behind the aggrieved nurses and midwives. The Association confirmed that it has been engaging the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance to resolve the matter but admitted that progress has been slow.
The GRNMA further emphasized that the welfare of health professionals is inseparable from the quality of care patients receive, stressing that the government must act quickly to prevent the situation from escalating into a nationwide crisis.
The Coalition is therefore making a passionate appeal to President John Dramani Mahama, urging him to use his office to ensure that the Ministry of Finance releases the necessary funds to pay all outstanding arrears and restore dignity to the nursing profession.
For now, the nurses and midwives say they remain hopeful that their concerns will be addressed, but warned that if the situation continues, they may have no option but to resort to industrial action.
As President Mahama rolls out his ambitious “Reset Ghana” agenda aimed at rebuilding the economy, fighting corruption, and improving social services, the nurses and midwives believe that settling their salary arrears will be a clear demonstration of his commitment to restoring fairness, dignity, and confidence in the nation’s workforce.
