Govt recruits 13,500 nurses, promises salary arrears by month-end – Health Minister

Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that the government has successfully completed the recruitment of 13,500 nurses and midwives, a major step toward strengthening and stabilising Ghana’s health workforce.

He also assured that all newly recruited staff who have experienced delays in receiving their salaries will be fully paid by the end of the month.

Speaking at the GRNMA 19th Biennial Conference in Tamale, the minister said the large-scale recruitment aligns with government’s broader plan to boost frontline healthcare delivery under the Free Primary Healthcare and Mahama Cares initiatives. He stressed that nurses and midwives remain the backbone of these reforms.

Akandoh further revealed that the government is reviewing the negotiated Conditions of Service for possible inclusion in the 2026 Budget, underscoring its commitment to improving the welfare of health professionals.

He added that promotion processes for nurses and midwives have now been streamlined, resolving past delays that were linked to limited vacancies.

The minister called for continued collaboration between the Ministry of Health, labour unions, and the GRNMA to address deployment issues, expand specialist training opportunities, and ensure long-term workforce stability. Strong partnerships, he noted, are crucial to delivering high-quality healthcare across the country.