Ghana’s Health Minister, Kwabena Minta Akandoh, recently addressed the persistent issue of delayed salary payments for newly recruited nurses and midwives, a concern he heard directly from staff during a visit to the Bibiani Municipal Hospital.
The Health Minister who has officially begun a working tour of the Western North Region to evaluate the state of health facilities and address challenges. The visit is part of President John Mahama’s mandate to ensure quality and accessible healthcare for all Ghanaians.
The minister acknowledged that the problem stems from the previous administration, which initiated nurse recruitment without securing the necessary financial provisions. Since taking office, the current government has hired 13,500 nurses, with 10,000 now on the payroll. Of those, 7,000 are already receiving their salaries, and the remaining 3,000 are in the process of being cleared by the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department.
In addition to the salary issues, Minister Akandoh’s visit highlighted government efforts to re-equip medical facilities. At the Sefwi Asawinso Government Hospital, he presented a range of essential medical equipment, including delivery beds, ECG machines, microscopes, and delivery sets.
He stated this is part of a larger government initiative to bolster healthcare infrastructure nationwide. To improve service accessibility, the Western North Health Directorate received 60 motorcycles to aid in healthcare delivery across the region.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
