Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has defended the government’s decision to retain 13,500 newly trained nurses and midwives despite ongoing salary payment challenges.
Speaking at a media engagement in Accra, the Minister said the decision, though financially demanding, was necessary to prevent a surge in unemployment among trained health professionals.
“We had two options: either let them go home or allow them to work while we find ways to pay them. We chose the latter, and I have never regretted that decision,” Akandoh stated.
He explained that the Ministry has since made progress in addressing the issue, with about 7,000 of the affected nurses and midwives already added to the government payroll and receiving their salaries.
“When we chose that option, we didn’t go to sleep. As I speak to you, about 7,000 are being paid. They are on the payroll,” he affirmed.
Akandoh also drew attention to the wider challenge facing the health sector, noting that over 74,000 trained health professionals across the country remain unemployed. He said the government is exploring sustainable solutions to expand absorption capacity within the system.
The Ministry of Health has come under criticism in recent months for delays in paying some newly recruited staff. However, Akandoh assured the public that the Ministry remains committed to resolving all outstanding issues and safeguarding the welfare of health workers.
“Our health workers are the backbone of the system. We inherited a difficult situation, but we are determined to fix it,” he added.
