The Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives of Ghana has expressed appreciation to the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, for his intervention in resolving salary arrears owed to nurses and midwives recruited in 2024.

The President of the Coalition, Stephen Kwadwo Takyia, led a delegation to the Ministry of Health to formally thank the Minister and officials for their sustained engagement and efforts in addressing the group’s employment and salary concerns.

Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Akandoh explained that the affected health professionals had commenced work without financial clearance, a situation that created challenges for government. 

“The affected health professionals had commenced work without financial clearance, creating a difficult situation for Government,” the Minister said.

He added that instead of withdrawing their appointments, the Ministry opted to keep them at post while working closely with the Ministry of Finance to secure the necessary funding.

The Minister stressed that “financial clearance has now been secured for all 13,500 workers, with only a few isolated cases remaining”.

He directed the Human Resource Directorate to expedite action to resolve the few outstanding cases.

To prevent future delays, Hon. Akandoh also directed health-sector agencies to fast-track the issuance of appointment letters and the mechanisation of newly recruited health professionals to ensure salaries are processed without delay.

Looking ahead, the Minister announced that government is targeting the recruitment of 16,000 health professionals in 2026. 

“Government is targeting the recruitment of 16,000 health professionals in 2026 with financial clearance already secured for the first 8,000,” he revealed.

Akandoh urged all the newly recruited health professionals to report to their assigned facilities before August 20, 2026, warning that failure to do so will result in the loss of their appointments. 

“Those who fail to report by the deadline risk losing their appointments,” he warned.

He further encouraged health workers to serve with dedication and to 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. 

Members expressed optimism that with the payment challenges largely resolved, the group would soon no longer be known as the Coalition of “Unpaid” Nurses and Midwives.