The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Health has cleared more than 17,000 health professionals who had been awaiting financial clearance and placement, addressing a major backlog inherited from the previous administration.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Health Ministry in Accra, the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, revealed that the clearance process, which had stalled for years, is now complete, and the affected nurses and allied health professionals will start receiving their salaries from November.
“We inherited that, and those people have been paid. I am telling you what we inherited, what we have done about them, and what we are doing about them.”
Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
He explained that at the time government took office, more than 17,000 rotational nurses and allied health professionals were awaiting clearance from the Ministry of Finance. Many of them had completed their national service and rotations but had not been posted or paid for several months.
According to the Minister, securing financial clearance for such a large number of health professionals required significant coordination among the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and the Public Services Commission.
“By the grace of God, we have secured clearance for more than 17,000 health professionals,” Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said, adding that the process was not limited to nurses alone but covered other essential categories of workers within the sector.
He further noted that while the clearance issue was being addressed, the ministry also had to review the conditions of service for newly engaged personnel.
“That was not the only thing. There were issues about the conditions of service. You’ve heard them before. And so we had to onboard them gradually because you agree with me that we also have a country to govern.”
Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
Approval and Payment Timeline
The Minister announced that Cabinet has approved immediate payment for an additional 6,500 health professionals, which will add to the 7,000 already on payroll, bringing the total to 13,500 newly paid workers.
“Cabinet has approved that with immediate effect, I mean, starting from November the Minister for Finance must pay them. And I have in my hand the letter to that effect.”
Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
He described the decision as a “significant step” toward stabilising the health sector workforce and ensuring that qualified personnel who have completed their mandatory rotations are absorbed into the system.
The announcement was met with relief from many within the health fraternity, especially recent graduates who had been struggling without pay since completing their rotations.
The backlog in financial clearance for health workers has been a recurring issue in Ghana’s health sector. Over the years, newly trained nurses and allied professionals have repeatedly protested delays in posting and salary payments.
The problem often stems from bureaucratic bottlenecks between the Ministries of Health and Finance, as well as constraints within the national budget.
In some cases, health professionals have gone for months or even years without official placement, despite the country’s ongoing need for more medical staff, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Government officials have consistently pledged to address the matter, but many sector observers note that the pace of reform has been slow. The latest clearance, therefore, marks a substantial administrative milestone.
The Minister expressed empathy for those who endured delays, acknowledging the financial and emotional hardship they faced. “I empathize with anybody who has had to go through this painful situation. But it is important for Ghanaians to be taken along.” Dr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
He maintained that while the delays were unfortunate, the ministry’s phased approach was necessary to ensure that the recruitment process remained sustainable and aligned with the country’s fiscal capacity.
The Minister also hinted that his office is working with the Ministry of Finance to develop a streamlined clearance framework that will prevent future backlogs.
The proposed system aims to automate parts of the approval process, making it easier for qualified graduates to transition from training institutions into paid positions.
If implemented as planned, the payment of the newly cleared health professionals will ease the pressure on public health facilities, many of which have been operating with reduced staff strength due to delays in posting.
The recruitment will enhance service delivery in district hospitals, health centres, and community-based facilities across the country.
With the new batch of health workers expected to start receiving salaries from November, the ministry hopes to close one of the most persistent gaps in the public health workforce.
As the Minister concluded his remarks, he reiterated the government’s determination to ensure that the health sector remains a priority in national planning. These were the difficulties. But I believe we are turning the corner.”Dr. Mintah Akandoh said.
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