The Union of Trainee Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UTNMG) has issued a stark warning to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), threatening to vote against the party in the upcoming elections due to 19 months of unpaid allowances.
The Union, in a press release signed by their President, Mr Agbeti Robert Immortal, claims that the government’s inaction has pushed trainees into financial hardship and constitutes a betrayal of trust.
“The government’s inaction has battered the trust of the trainees, exacerbated the financial burden on them, and made health training the reserve of the rich minority few”
Mr. Immortal highlighted the disparity in allowances paid to teacher trainees compared to their counterparts in the health sector, questioning the government’s commitment to fairness and equity.
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He cited the June 2024 release of GHC219 million to 104,000 Trainee Nurses and Midwives, while GHC216 million was allocated to 67,000 Teacher Trainees who receive additional support such as subsidized feeding and student loans.
The Union also expressed concern over the increasing tuition fees and the 100% increment in admission fees, forcing trainees to pay as much as GH₵9,000.
This, combined with the delayed allowance payments, has created a financial strain on trainees, many of whom struggle to meet even 60% of their tuition costs, risking expulsion from dining halls and examination halls.
“Trainee Nurses and Midwives are left to struggle with no respite. While some Health Training Institutions demand 100% payment of fees, few demands 60% of which failure to comply results in expulsion from Dining halls and Examination halls”
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In addition to the issue of the unpaid allowances, Mr. Immortal also expressed worries about the delayed payment of National Service allowances to health personnel, further exacerbating the financial challenges faced by trainees and service personnel in the health sector.
The union has urged the government to take immediate action to address these issues to ensure justice and equity in the education and healthcare training.
According to them, failure on the part of government to do so may have far-reaching implications for the country’s health sector and the achievement of the sustainable development goals.
“There is no denying the fact that the government’s inactions have defeated the attainment of SDG Goal: 1; No Poverty, SDG Goal 4; Quality Education, SDG Goal 8; Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG Goal 10; Reduce Inequality.”
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Trainee Nurses and Midwives are therefore demanding prompt action from the government to alleviate their financial burdens and ensure a fair and equitable educational system.
