The government's recent decision to revoke the recruitment of newly trained nurses has sparked widespread outrage among healthcare professionals and stakeholders in Ghana.
Last-minute’ recruitment revocation targets only post-Dec 7 appointments as stated by Health Minister Mintah Kwabena Akandoh.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in a circular dated February 12, 2025, directed all divisional and regional health directors to suspend newly recruited nurses who had not yet been placed on the payroll as of January 2025.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has urged health professionals in Ghana to remain calm following the government’s decision to revoke the appointments of individuals recruited into public service after December 7, 2024.
He emphasized that the decision, which has sparked concern among healthcare workers, pertains only to new appointments made beyond this date.
To provide clarity on the matter, Minister Akandoh reassured health professionals that anyone recruited before the December 31, 2024 deadline an agreement established after clearance from the Ministry of Finance will not be impacted by the revocation.
He further emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that those already in the system are not adversely affected by these changes.
Akandoh acknowledged the concerns raised by health workers and urged them to understand that the government’s actions are aimed at streamlining public service appointments to ensure the long-term sustainability and efficiency of the sector.
The Ministry of Finance issued clearance for recruitment of health professionals, for which, the expiry date was December 31, 2024. So, it is in the interest of anybody who may be recruited beyond that point to be suspended. Because if we recruit you beyond that point, we cannot pay you. So, we are not saying that the recruitments that were done within the period are not affected, he stated.
Mr. Emmanuel Kesse, the district Chairman of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA - Juaben Municipal), working at the Juaben Municipal hospital in the Ashanti Region, has expressed strong concerns about the government's decision to revoke the recent recruitment of nurses and midwives, citing the already dire shortage of healthcare professionals in the country.
Mr. Kesse described the government's decision to revoke the nurses' recruitment as worrying, and urged its withdrawal.
Mr. Kesse in an exclusive interview on Fabea FM with Apiah-Kubi said, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwifery Association (GRNMA) is hoping that the new recruiters could help abate the human resources shortage in the nurses and midwifery services.
Mr. Kesse emphasized that the brain drain of nurses leaving Ghana to seek better opportunities abroad is alarming, and the government's decision will only exacerbate the problem.
He continued that the nurses and midwives pass through a lot after completing their courses, saying some will complete the school and stays at home for several months before doing their national service, and some will finish their national service but will not be paid their due salary.
"It's disgraceful, and the profession becomes disrespectful and shameful", he bemoaned.
He therefore urged the government to reconsider its decision and allow the newly recruited nurses to assume their roles while investigations proceed.
"We believe that anyone who has gone through the financial process is qualified to work," Kesse said.
"The government should let the recruiters do their job while the investigation goes on", he added.
The government's decision, announced by the Chief of staff, Julius Debrah, has sparked fears of a potential healthcare crisis, with warning of the devastating consequences of revoking the nurses' recruitment.
Mr. Kesse concluded that the situation continues to unfold, therefore the healthcare professionals are calling on the government to prioritize the healthcare needs of the country and reconsider its decision.
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