Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that all 13,500 nurses recruited into the health sector are now receiving their salaries, with outstanding arrears set to be fully paid by July.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, June 2, Mr Akandoh said one of the key challenges he encountered upon taking office was the delay in salary payments to newly recruited health workers, a situation that had triggered widespread concern and protests.
He explained that although the nurses had already been recruited, they had not been placed on the government payroll. Through discussions with the Ministry of Finance, the necessary approvals were secured to facilitate salary payments.
“When I assumed office, about 13,500 nurses had been recruited but were facing payment challenges. It was a difficult period, but through engagements with the Ministry of Finance, we were able to secure approval for their salaries,” he said.
The Minister emphasized that the government has no intention of withholding or cancelling salary arrears owed to the affected workers, dismissing claims to the contrary.
“There were rumours that the government would not pay workers for the months they had already worked. That was never the case. If people have worked, they must be paid,” he stressed.
According to Mr Akandoh, all outstanding arrears are expected to be settled by July.
He further disclosed that the government has received financial clearance to recruit an additional 16,000 health workers this year, with the first phase of the recruitment exercise expected to cover approximately 8,000 personnel.