The Union of Trainee Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UTNMG) is raising concerns over the government’s failure to pay trainee allowances consistently, leaving a backlog of 19 months unpaid.
Despite a recent three-month payment, trainees are still facing financial hardship, which UTNMG considers an economic injustice.
The union demands that the government urgently pay outstanding arrears and prioritise the welfare of trainee nurses and midwives, highlighting that the Vice President’s assurances do not match the realities on the ground.
The trainees also warn that the government’s neglect may have political consequences, as trainees express growing dissatisfaction with unfulfilled promises.
The general secretary of the union, Robert Alavi in an interview with Channel One News noted that “We acknowledge and appreciate the recent payment of three months allowance into our accounts last week. Even with that, our survey reveals that 35% of trainee nurses have not received their allowances and this does not include the current first years. The government owes those who completed this year 19 months’ allowances, that is after the three months payment.
“The government still owes those that completed 2023, 15 months of allowances and those in 2022, 8 months. This means, there is no payment policy that once you complete school, government will pay you your allowances. Perhaps the 2024 batch will not experience those challenges.
“Our other challenge is the increment of the school fees which is now between GH₵4000 and GHC5000 varying across various institutions. Library fees which used to be GH₵ 58, now GH₵100 representing a 72.4% increase.”
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