The Coalition of Unemployed Allied Health Professionals (COUAHP) has called on the government to urgently address the backlog of qualified health professionals who remain unemployed despite completing all legal and regulatory obligations.
With graduation dates stretching back to 2019, members say the prolonged wait for posting has left them in worsening financial, psychological, and emotional conditions. The coalition has warned of a nationwide demonstration if decisive measures are not taken.
In a public address, the coalition’s Public Relations Officer, Hussein Abdul Baaki, provided a sharp critique of the situation.
“Despite completing our mandatory national service, passing our licensure examinations, and remaining committed and ready to serve the nation, many of us have remained unemployed since as far back as 2019”
Hussein Abdul Baaki, Public Relations Officer
According to COUAHP, this condition persists in the face of overwhelming staff shortages in critical areas of Ghana’s public healthcare system, particularly in the areas of diagnostics, disease surveillance, rehabilitation, and health information management.
Baaki expressed disbelief that professionals trained in fields such as laboratory science, radiography, physiotherapy, nutrition, mental health, and disease control are being left idle while hospitals and clinics are under strain.
He noted that while patients continue to endure delays in receiving care, the nation’s decision-makers have allowed essential human resources to go unused.
Licensing and Injustice
COUAHP also raised concerns about the legal requirement to annually renew professional licenses at high personal cost, even though the professionals are not permitted to practice without official posting.
“Ghana cannot continue to claim it is committed to universal health coverage while it sidelines the workforce needed to achieve it. Adding to the injustice, we are required by law to renew our professional licenses annually at significant personal cost”
Hussein Abdul Baaki, Public Relations Officer
The coalition described the situation as unjust and a major contributor to their growing distress. He noted that the burden of this regulation is both financial and psychological and is deepening the crisis that many of the professionals already face.
The coalition has also accused the Ministry of Health of discrimination in its recruitment practices. Baaki claimed that while some health professionals are automatically posted after internships, allied health professionals face indefinite delays without clear explanations.
“Allied health professionals are ignored, delayed, and neglected. Our role in the health system is critical and we demand equal recognition and opportunity”
Hussein Abdul Baaki, Public Relations Officer
COUAHP further warned that training institutions continue to graduate more students every year, feeding into a system that is already overwhelmed and incapable of absorbing the backlog.
Demands and Ultimatum
Baaki outlined five specific demands endorsed by the coalition, echoing the position taken earlier by similarly disadvantaged groups.
The list includes immediate financial clearance and recruitment for all unemployed allied health professionals from 2019 to date, the elimination of bureaucratic delays in the hiring process, and transparent communication from the Ministries of Health and Finance.
The coalition also demanded the creation of a sustainable national policy on workforce planning, and equitable treatment of allied health professionals in all employment decisions.
“This is a matter of justice, equity, and national interest. Continued neglect of our plight is a threat to public health, social stability, and the future of health professions in Ghana”
Hussein Abdul Baaki, Public Relations Officer
He added that the coalition has the numbers to act if ignored, estimating over 30,000 unemployed allied health professionals across the country. “If no decisive action is taken to address this issue, we will embark on a massive nationwide demonstration to demand our rights to unemployment, fairness, and dignity.”
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