Unpaid Nurses, Midwives Demand Full Salary Arrears After Receiving One Month’s Pay in a Year
A coalition of unpaid nurses and midwives operating under the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has renewed calls for the immediate settlement of outstanding salary arrears, after receiving payment for only one month despite working for nearly a year in public health facilities across the country.
The group says its members rendered continuous services for about 12 months, attending to patients day and night, yet were paid for just a single month, an experience they describe as harsh, demoralising and deeply unfair.
In a strongly worded statement, the coalition accused the Ministry of Health of selective payments and repeated breaches of assurances, warning that the persistent neglect is eroding morale among frontline health workers and could negatively affect patient care nationwide.
According to the group, nurses and midwives within the coalition worked through emergencies and demanding shifts, playing a critical role in sustaining Ghana’s healthcare system, only to be rewarded with what they describe as a token payment that does not reflect their sacrifices.
Leader of the coalition, Stephen Takyiah, said the payment made so far falls far short of what is owed and undermines the dignity and commitment of health workers who have remained at post despite financial hardship.
The coalition further disclosed that approximately 300 of its members have not received any salary at all since they were posted, adding that their employment status remains uncertain as the extended financial clearance for their engagement expires on December 31, 2025.
Members also raised concerns over what they describe as unequal treatment, stating that more than 7,000 nurses and midwives who began receiving salaries in April 2025 have reportedly been paid all their arrears in full, while 6,261 others remain unpaid despite being validated for full arrears. The group accused the Ministry of Health of failing to honour its promise to publish a clear payment schedule after the November salary, describing the silence since then as deceptive and misleading.
Warning of broader consequences for the health sector, the coalition said continued disregard for their plight could worsen conditions in hospitals as unpaid workers struggle to survive financially while still expected to provide quality care.
The nurses and midwives are therefore demanding urgent engagement from the Ministries of Health and Finance, immediate clarification of their status, and the full payment of all accumulated salary arrears, insisting that fairness, transparency and respect for their labour must be upheld.
