The Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives of Ghana has expressed appreciation to the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, following progress in resolving salary arrears owed to nurses and midwives recruited in 2024.
The Coalition says more than 99 percent of the 13,500 affected health professionals have now been paid. Its President, Stephen Kwadwo Takyia, led a delegation to the Ministry of Health to formally thank the Minister and officials for their continued engagement and efforts to address the group’s employment and salary concerns.
Mr. Akandoh explained that the affected nurses and midwives had commenced work without financial clearance, creating a difficult situation for government. He said the Ministry, instead of withdrawing their appointments, decided to keep them at post while working with the Ministry of Finance to secure the necessary funding.
According to the Minister, financial clearance has now been secured for all 13,500 health professionals, with only a few isolated cases remaining. He has directed the Human Resource Directorate to expedite action to resolve the outstanding cases.
The Minister has also directed health-sector agencies to fast-track the issuance of appointment letters and the mechanisation of newly recruited health professionals to ensure that their salaries are processed without unnecessary delays.
Mr. Akandoh further disclosed that government is targeting the recruitment of 16,000 health professionals in 2026, with financial clearance already secured for the first 8,000. He assured that clearance would be secured for the remaining 8,000 before recruitment to prevent a recurrence of salary arrears.
He has also urged newly recruited health professionals to report to their assigned facilities by August 20, 2026, warning that those who fail to report by the deadline risk losing their appointments.
The Health Minister encouraged health workers to serve with dedication and treat patients with respect and dignity, stressing that patients must remain at the centre of healthcare delivery.
The Coalition commended the Minister and the Ministry for their continued engagement and support, expressing optimism that with the payment challenges largely resolved, the group would soon no longer be known as the “Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives.”
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe
