Government restores allowances for nurses and midwife trainees with GH¢232m budget
The government has fulfilled another campaign comprise by reinstating the allowances for midwife/nursing trainees in the country.
The previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government scrapped the allowance in 2014, under which nursing trainees got at least GH¢450 every quarter.
But, during the 2016 electioneering period, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo promised to restore the allowance for the trainees to go through a smooth training to serve the nation.
President Akufo-Addo said at the official launch of the restoration ceremony in Sunyani that government was committed to fulfilling all the campaign promises made during the 2016 electioneering period.
He said the reinstatement of the allowance was important to government, saying that, it was not a mere political rhetoric and campaign talk.
President Akufo-Addo said GH¢232 million had been budgeted to pay the allowances of the 58,000 beneficiary nursing trainees this academic year.
Each beneficiary trainee will receive GH¢400 effective September 1, 2017.
The President assured his critics that with the proper management of public resources, the allowance would be sustained.
He observed that many nurses and midwife trainees were demoralized when the allowances were canceled and brought untold hardships to them.
“I promised Ghanaians that my government is going to restore the allowance and by the grace of God and generosity of Ghanaians I am here to restore the allowance” the President said.
President Akufo-Addo disclosed that 16,000 qualified nurses, midwives and other health professionals had been employed into the formal sector since his government assumed office.
He said more nurses and health professionals would also be employed by the end of the year and assured those who attended private health institutions that they would also gain employment next year.
The President emphasised that his government was poised to build the country beyond aid and urged Ghanaians to support in the implementation of its flagship policies and programmes.
Mr. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, the Minister of Health, emphasised that the set targets for the sustainable development goals could not be achieved without quality human resource base in the health sector.
Mr. Agyemang-Manu said the Health Ministry was aware of efforts being made by President Akufo-Addo towards the realisation of other pledges he made during the 2016 electioneering period.
On behalf of the beneficiary trainees, the Health Minister assured the President that the monies would be used judiciously whilst they remained focused to study seriously to come out as well-trained professionally qualified nurses and midwives.
Pemampem Yaw Kagbrese the fifth, the President of the Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, who presided, praised the government for the untiring efforts being made towards national reconstruction and progress.
He said the implementation of the Free Senior High school programme and restoration of the nurses and teacher allowances would bring huge financial relief to parents.
Pemampem Kagbrese, who is also the Paramount Chief of the Yeji Traditional Area, observed that the policies would help to resurrect the dying spirit of patriotism among the Ghanaian youth and advised Ghanaians not to undermine the policies of the government but fully support in its implementation for accelerated national development.
Mrs. Josephine Ansu Gyeabour, the President of Conference of Heads of Health Training and Education Institutions (COHHETI) said her outfit followed with keen interest the President’s promise and was excited by the fulfillment of it.
She observed that the financial burden on many of the nursing trainees would be reduced and therefore charged the students to set high academic and moral objectives and learn hard to become committed health professionals to serve the nation.
Mrs. Gyeabour reminded the students that the allowances were meant to support the payment of their school fees and advised them to use the money wisely.
Mr. Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister said the region had 17 health training institutions, and that, the restoration of the allowances would encourage more youth to enroll in those institutions.
Source: GNA