Nursing trainees were to receive their overdue allowances last week following a promise by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia.
During a campaign tour, he was approached by a trainee about the unpaid allowances and assured them that he would address the issue with the finance minister to ensure payments were made.
Later, in a public statement, the Vice President disclosed that funds had been released for the payments as of the previous Thursday.
However, the umbrella body for nursing and midwifery trainees reported that the payments have not yet appeared in their accounts. In a statement issued on Monday, May 20, the Coalition of Concerned Nurses and Midwives Trainees said, “Despite the Vice President’s announcement over nineteen days ago, no payments have been made nor information provided on the disbursement process. The government’s failure to address these arrears comprehensively continues to burden our future healthcare professionals.”
The coalition also highlighted that the 177 million Ghana cedis announced by Dr. Bawumia is insufficient to cover the months owed.
“This calculation does not include the 30% of trainees who have never received any allowances, amounting to an additional GHC209,160,000. Therefore, the minimum total arrears required is GHC209.16 Million,” the statement added.
“The government’s failure to address these arrears comprehensively continues to burden our future healthcare professionals.”
Health Minister Bernard Okoe Boye has assured that the government will eventually settle the arrears, unlike the previous administration that completely abolished the payments.
The coalition also pointed out that 177 million Ghana cedi announced by Dr. Bawumia is “woefully inadequate” to cater for the number of months owed them.”
“The recently released GHC117 million covers only 11.5% of the total arrears, which is woefully inadequate. Furthermore, 30% of the trainees, approximately 17,430 students, have never received any allowances. This group’s arrears alone amount to GHC209.16 million which is even more than the paltry Ghc177M.
Trainee Nurses Allowance: There has not been any payment despite claims from the government. – Pascal Adumbisa, President, Ghana Nurses and Midwives Trainee Association#GhanaTonight pic.twitter.com/UmH6XS4X3a
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) May 21, 2024