STRIKING NURSES: "Gov't must act now" – Concerned citizen urges bold reforms

As Ghana continues to grapple with a nationwide nurses' strike, a concerned citizen, Mark Botwe, has called on the government to swiftly address the legitimate grievances of the striking health professionals — even if it requires borrowing under stringent international conditions.

In a strongly worded message addressed to the Presidency, Mr. Botwe emphasized that the welfare of nurses must take precedence in the national interest, urging the government to take “every means possible” to resolve the crisis immediately.

However, he also advocated for sweeping reforms in the health and employment sector to ensure long-term sustainability and efficiency.

“The government cannot continue to carry burdens that are outdated and financially unsustainable,” he said, outlining six key policy measures he believes could transform the system:

1. Decentralize Nursing Education: He suggested that nursing training should be entirely absorbed by the universities, removing it from the direct responsibility of the government.

2. Abolish Trainee Allowance: According to Mr. Botwe, the nursing trainee allowance has outlived its relevance and should be scrapped to redirect funds into essential healthcare delivery.

3. Depoliticize Recruitment: He urged political parties to stop using public sector recruitment, especially in the health sector, as campaign promises. “Recruitment must be merit-based and tied strictly to existing job vacancies,” he stressed.

4. Introduce Hourly Wage System: To improve productivity and accountability, Mr. Botwe proposed an hourly-based salary system that rewards diligence and discourages complacency.

5. Incentivize Rural Posting: He recommended a salary increment of 30% to 50% for health professionals who accept postings in deprived or rural areas, to bridge the human resource gap across the country.

6. Facilitate Professional Migration: In a more pragmatic twist, Mr. Botwe encouraged the government to ease bureaucratic barriers for professionals seeking employment abroad. “Remittances from abroad will in turn boost the local economy,” he added.

He concluded his message with a passionate plea: “I pray this message reaches you, Mr. President. The time to act is now.”

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith