Health Minister Assures Unpaid Nurses of Salary Resolution
The Health Minister assures unpaid nurses, pharmacists, and other health workers in Ghana of swift salary resolutions.
The Ministry of Health has moved to address growing concerns about delayed salary payments for thousands of nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals across Ghana.
In a press statement, the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, reaffirmed government’s commitment to resolving salary arrears while ensuring the welfare of healthcare workers remains a national priority.
The Health Minister expressed deep sympathy with affected nurses, noting that no worker should be engaged without valid financial clearance.
He explained that the delays in payment largely stemmed from administrative lapses in financial approvals, but reassured health workers that government is working closely with the Ministry of Finance to clear all outstanding arrears.
Background to the Salary Delays According to the Released Statement
In August 2024, the Ministry of Health received financial clearance to recruit about 13,500 nurses. However, this clearance expired in December 2024, leaving a large number of newly recruited nurses without formal provisions for salary payment.
Instead of sending them home, the current administration allowed these nurses to continue working while efforts were made to secure resources to cover their wages.
As a result, although over 7,000 nurses have so far been paid, about 6,500 are still awaiting payment. According to the Ministry, special concessions were made to retain these nurses despite the absence of immediate clearance, as their services remain crucial to Ghana’s health system.
Assurances from the Ministry
The Ministry of Health has assured that all affected nurses will soon receive their payments. Hon. Akandoh reiterated that the government will not abandon health workers, emphasizing that the delays are being addressed systematically.
The Minister further revealed that similar challenges had affected other categories of health workers:
Pharmacists: A group of pharmacists who completed their housemanship in early 2024 initially went unpaid. Their allowances have now been settled.
Medical House Officers: Some doctors who began their house jobs in 2024 without payment have also had their issues resolved.
Rotation Nurses and Allied Health Interns: Those who started their rotations in 2024 but did not receive allowances will soon be paid.
Junior Doctors: Although all processes for their payment had been completed earlier, bureaucratic challenges delayed the release of funds. The Ministry has since resolved this issue.
Government’s Broader Strategy
The government is adopting a pragmatic and long-term approach to prevent similar challenges from recurring.
According to the Health Ministry, every effort is being made to strengthen financial clearance systems, streamline postings, and ensure timely disbursement of allowances and salaries.
“Government is determined to address these challenges decisively going forward,” the press release stated. This signals not only an immediate relief for affected health workers but also a long-term shift towards accountability and efficiency in the management of Ghana’s health workforce.
Commitment to Health Workers’ Welfare
The Health Minister reaffirmed that the welfare of nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and allied health professionals remains a central priority.
He acknowledged their sacrifices, particularly during a period when many worked without pay, and assured them that government recognizes their invaluable contributions to the health sector.
By resolving these payment delays and instituting safeguards against future lapses, the Ministry aims to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare delivery system.
This effort, according to Hon. Akandoh, reflects government’s broader agenda to build a resilient health sector capable of responding effectively to the nation’s growing healthcare needs.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Health’s assurance to unpaid nurses and other health professionals marks a significant step in addressing long-standing salary challenges.
With over 7,000 already paid and the remaining 6,500 set to receive their wages soon, there is renewed hope among healthcare workers.
As government continues to adopt pragmatic solutions, the resolution of these challenges will not only restore the confidence of health workers but also improve overall healthcare service delivery across Ghana.
Below is the official released statement from Ministry of Health
Source: quarmsmedia.com