The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has strongly opposed the suspension of newly recruited nurses and midwives who have not yet been placed on the government payroll.
In a statement released by the association, the leadership called on the government to reconsider its directive, warning that failure to do so could result in industrial action.
According to the GRNMA, all nurses and midwives recruited after December 7, 2024, are licensed professionals who have met all the necessary qualifications and deserve to continue practicing.
The association emphasized that these healthcare workers have already endured long waiting periods before securing employment and should not be penalized due to administrative delays.
The recruitment process for the affected nurses and midwives, the GRNMA explained, began in mid-2024 when the Ministry of Health sought financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance.
This led to the hiring of the 2020 batch of nurses and midwives who had completed their mandatory one-year internship. However, delays in payroll processing have resulted in some recruits not receiving salaries as of January 2025.
The association criticized the government’s decision to suspend these workers before conducting an investigation, arguing that due process should be followed. “If there is an investigation to be carried out, that process should be completed before the affected individuals are asked to go home and not suspended before the investigations are carried out,” the statement read.
The GRNMA also warned that suspending newly recruited nurses and midwives would have severe consequences on healthcare delivery. With worsening nurse-patient ratios and increasing burnout among healthcare professionals, the association stressed the need for more nurses to be recruited, rather than removed.
Additionally, the ongoing emigration of Ghanaian nurses has further strained the health sector, making the retention of existing staff crucial.
The association urged the government to reconsider its stance and exempt nurses and midwives from the directive. It maintained that their services are essential to the functioning of the country’s health facilities.
In a firm warning, the GRNMA stated that if the government fails to clarify or withdraw the directive, leading to suspension letters being issued to affected nurses and midwives, it will be compelled to take action.
The association hinted at a series of industrial actions to protest the move and stand in solidarity with affected members.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the GRNMA has advised all nurses and midwives to remain calm and await further updates as they closely monitor developments.
