Nurses, Midwives Demand 11 Months of Unpaid Salaries
A coalition of unpaid nurses and midwives is demanding immediate payment of their salary arrears, alleging they received only one month’s pay for nearly a year’s work.
The group, operating under the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), claims its members worked continuously for 12 months in public health facilities but were compensated for just a single month. They describe the situation as both cruel and deeply demoralising.
Accusing the Ministry of Health of broken promises and selective payments, the coalition warns that this financial neglect is severely impacting morale and could ultimately undermine patient care across the country.
In a strongly worded statement, the group lamented that their dedication – working day and night, attending to emergencies, and “helping keep Ghana’s health system alive” – was met with payment covering only one month out of twelve.
“The payment falls short of what is owed and fails to reflect the sacrifices made by frontline health workers,” stated Stephen Takyiah, the leader of the coalition.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that approximately 300 members have not received even a single month’s salary, with their employment status now uncertain as the extended financial clearance is set to expire on December 31, 2025.
“The saddest part is that about 300 of our members did not receive even the one-month salary and their fate is not known, since the extended financial clearance expires on 31st December, 2025,” the coalition expressed.
They highlighted a disparity in payments, noting that over 7,000 nurses and midwives who began receiving salaries in April 2025 had their arrears paid in full, while the remaining 6,261 have been “completely abandoned.” Some had even been validated for full arrears in November, only to receive a single month’s payment.
“This deceptive action gave us nothing but heartbreak and shattered hope,” they added.
The nurses and midwives also accuse the Ministry of Health of failing to deliver on its commitment to publish a clear payment plan following the November salary disbursement.
Describing the situation as unfair and inhumane, the group warns that continued neglect could have dire consequences for the health sector, with demoralised workers struggling to provide quality care amidst financial hardship.
The coalition is calling on the government to immediately engage with them, address what they perceive as misinformation, and ensure the full and prompt payment of all outstanding salary arrears.
“We demand immediate communication from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance and full payment of our accumulated arrears. We demand fairness, transparency, and respect for our labour and our dignity. We have served Ghana faithfully. It is time for Ghana to do the same for us,” they concluded.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
