Accra: The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the government of engaging in 'political gimmicks' concerning the delayed salaries of nurses and midwives. The Caucus highlighted that financial clearance for these payments was issued in July 2024.
According to Ghana News Agency, approximately 8,000 nurses and midwives, who were recruited and deployed to Teaching Hospitals and Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHRAG) institutions, have already received their payments. The remaining 7,000 nurses, recruited by the Ghana Health Service in December 2024, have faced a ten-month delay in salary disbursement despite being budgeted for by the previous government.
Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, the Ranking Member on Parliament's Health Committee, emphasized during a press conference at Parliament House in Accra that there should be no further need for Cabinet approval since the Finance Ministry had already issued financial clearance. He urged the government to resolve the issue promptly and pay the nurses and midwives within the month.
The government's stance, as articulated by Health Minister Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, presents a different perspective. The Health Minister stated that the financial clearance expired on December 31, 2024, but the government chose to retain the nurses and midwives rather than dismiss them. Efforts are reportedly underway to address the backlog of unpaid salaries.
The NPP Minority's claim that the previous government had budgeted for the nurses' salaries is countered by the government's explanation of the expired financial clearance and ongoing attempts to secure Cabinet approval for payments. This step is deemed necessary in light of the current situation.
