Nurses call for the payment of outstanding salaries

A group of nurses and midwives recruited in 2009 have expressed worry about the non-payment of their salaries and outstanding arrears and called on government to immediately solve the problem.

They wondered why after completing their internship and working as licensed professional nurses, they should continue to receive trainee allowances of GH¢47.00.

Mr Enock Agyapong, the Spokesperson for the group, told Ghana News Agency  that the situation has brought untold hardship to the nurses, now working in various health institutions across the country.

He warned that if the problem persists, they may be compelled to lay down their tools by the end of this month, claiming their previous petitions did not receive positive response.

Mr Agyapong said that it was a sad irony that at this period when the number of nurses and midwives was woefully inadequate, newly-qualified health staff should be treated this way.

He said though the group appreciates that it takes a while to go through salary mechanization, it has taken too long to have salaries of members mechanised.

Dr Joseph Oduro, Deputy Ashanti Regional Director in charge of Public Health, admitted that the group had a genuine problem and promised the authorities would address it.

Source: GNA