Nurses who have yet to receive their salaries, including nurses and midwives across the country, have cautioned that they may resort to industrial action should government fail to settle their outstanding pay by the close of December.
Addressing the issue on Tuesday, 16 December, the coordinator of the Unpaid Nurses and Midwives group, Stephen Takyiah, disclosed that many members have gone without pay for periods ranging from ten to eleven months. He explained that the arrears differ based on professional level and designation, covering categories such as enrolled nurses, staff nurses, midwives, nursing officers, and community health nurses.
Mr. Takyiah indicated that earlier commitments were made by the Ministry of Health following a Cabinet decision announced at a media briefing in mid-October, which directed that all outstanding salaries be paid and that temporary financial support be provided to affected workers.
He noted that although some nurses were added to the government payroll in November and received a single month’s salary, a significant number were excluded from the process. Additionally, he said authorities have failed to publish the detailed schedule earlier promised to explain how the backlog of unpaid salaries would be cleared.
“The Ministry has not communicated any plan regarding the settlement of the accumulated arrears,” he stated.
The convener also dismissed assertions by the Ministry that all nurses and midwives have been fully compensated, describing such claims as inaccurate and inconsistent with conditions on the ground. According to him, the group was compelled to release a formal statement and organise a press briefing after lenders began pressuring nurses for repayment based on the Ministry’s public declarations.
Mr. Takyiah further revealed that letters sent to both the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and the Labour Department have gone unanswered, with no acknowledgment received to date.
While emphasising that nurses and midwives have no desire to interrupt healthcare services, he stressed that the extended delays have had severe emotional and psychological consequences for those affected. He disclosed that the stress had recently resulted in his own hospitalisation, where he was diagnosed with ulcers.
He added that any decision to embark on a strike would be made in collaboration with the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) and the Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives. He warned that if the salary arrears remain unpaid by December, consultations on possible action would commence in early January.
