The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to resolving the long-standing issue of trained but unposted nurses, particularly the 2020 batch who have remained at home since completing their education and licensure.
In a meeting held with the leadership of the 2020 cohort of unposted nurses, Hon. Akandoh gave a firm assurance that the Ministry of Health is not only aware of their plight but is actively taking steps to secure the necessary financial clearance for their immediate deployment.
Hon. Akandoh acknowledged the legitimacy of their concerns and was frank in recognizing the systemic challenges that have delayed their recruitment.
He pointed to bureaucratic bottlenecks, particularly the need for clearance from the Ministry of Finance before new public sector workers can be added to the government payroll, as a significant hurdle that is currently being addressed.
“The Ministry values the contribution of every trained health professional to the development of our healthcare system. We are working tirelessly to ensure that every trained nurse is posted.”
Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh
He further explained that his Ministry is in active communication with the Ministry of Finance to fast-track the processes necessary to secure financial clearance.
According to him, these inter-ministerial engagements are ongoing and aimed at resolving the impasse in a manner that is sustainable for both the health sector and the national budget.
The Minister’s assurance comes at a time when frustration and despondency are deepening among thousands of trained nurses across the country who, despite having successfully completed their professional training and passed their licensing exams, are still waiting to be absorbed into the public health system.
Group Concerns
The interaction between the Minister and the representatives of the unposted nurses was marked by open dialogue and mutual respect.
The nurses used the occasion to communicate the emotional and economic burdens they have endured over the past several years. They shared their personal experiences of struggling to make ends meet, feeling neglected despite having responded to a national call to serve, and watching their skills atrophy from lack of practice.
“We are not asking for anything extraordinary. We simply want to work and contribute to the health of our nation. It’s disheartening to stay at home after going through the rigorous process of nursing school and national service”.
Executive Rep. for the Unposted Nurses
The Health Minister’s reassurances have brought a measure of hope to the unposted nurses, but many remain cautiously optimistic.
Some of them are demanding a clear timeline for the postings to be effected, arguing that previous assurances have not materialized into actual job placements.
They contend that the prolonged delay is not just a professional inconvenience but a violation of their right to employment after national investment in their training.
The backlog of unposted nurses threatens to undermine the morale of current and future health trainees, who may begin to question the reliability of the government’s commitment to employing graduates.
Experts have warned that such disillusionment could erode public confidence in the nursing profession and discourage enrolment in health training institutions.
Nonetheless, Hon. Akandoh’s engagement with the group is seen as a step in the right direction, signaling a willingness on the part of the new health administration to listen and respond to the concerns of frontline health workers.
Since assuming office, the Minister has been vocal about the need to strengthen the human resource base of the country’s health system and ensure equitable distribution of health personnel.
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