There is growing concern that the government needs to address the inclusion of teacher and nurse training institutions under the diploma curriculum in the student loan scheme. Critics argue that without such inclusion, the professional curriculum risks being politicized, potentially limiting future employment opportunities for graduates. Addressing this issue could also help the government create more job avenues for graduates ready to enter the job market.
Currently, there is a backlog of approximately 50,000 students from 2019 to 2023 who remain unemployed. Critics claim that the New Patriotic Party’s policy on student allowances has failed to address the needs of diploma students in nursing and midwifery programs, leaving them disadvantaged under the existing student loan scheme.
Hon. Eric Aful, MP for Amenfi West and a member of the Health Committee in Parliament, highlighted these concerns during an interview on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra. He expressed skepticism about the government’s promises to address the backlog, suggesting that these might turn out to be empty political promises given the current financial projections.
In a related development, the Minority in Parliament has criticized the government’s recent decision to recruit 15,000 nurses and midwives, calling it a political ploy. The Ministry of Health (MoH) announced the recruitment of 15,200 nurses and midwives, starting from Monday, August 5, 2024. According to a statement released on Friday, July 26, 2024, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has granted the necessary financial clearance for the recruitment.
Interested and qualified candidates are advised to apply through the MoH’s online application portal, with applications closing on Friday, August 23, 2024. The Ministry has emphasized that the recruitment process is free of charge and warned applicants against paying any fees to individuals or entities claiming to facilitate the process.
The Minority Caucus argues that the government’s recruitment strategy mirrors previous campaign tactics where recruitment portals were opened before elections, with appointments set to take effect after the election period. Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has urged health workers to be cautious of such last-minute maneuvers.
Story by:Alexander Kukah
