Govt employs 10,000 nurses - Clears NHIS arrears pays teacher trainee allowances

The government has employed 10,000 nurses and midwives in the first half of the year, with 7,000 already added to its payroll.

The intervention is part of efforts to strengthen health care in the country.

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, announced this at the Government Accountability Series in Accra yesterday, where he outlined key achievements on the theme, “Building a Healthier Ghana Together: Progress and Our Shared Future.”

NHIS funding

The Health Minister also revealed that the government had fully settled GH¢603 million arrears owed to healthcare providers under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), following a major revenue boost.  

Participants during the accountability series in Accra

The National Health Insurance Authority’s (NHIA) funding for 2025 has surged to GH¢9.76 billion, a GH¢3.26 billion increase from 2024, after the government uncapped the National Health Insurance Levy.  

“This allows us to expand coverage and improve benefits for all Ghanaians,” Mr Akandoh said.

NHIS enrolment, he said, had risen to 15.67 million subscribers, up by 670,000 since last year.  

Additionally, the government paid GH¢462.58 million worth of allowances to 120,000 trainee nurses for the first and second quarters of the year.  

The payment, covering a six-month period, fulfills a key campaign promise made by President John Dramani Mahama and underscores the government’s commitment to bolstering the health sector.

The minister stated that the initiative was part of a broader effort to provide financial support to students in Nursing Training Colleges.

“The allowances, a key commitment made by President John Mahama during the recent electioneering, has now been fulfilled,” a release issued ahead of the press conference said.

The minister described the move as a critical intervention to enhance the welfare of nursing trainees and motivate future health professionals.

“This development is a significant step in improving the welfare of nursing trainees and sustaining the motivation of future health professionals. It further aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen the health sector by ensuring that critical human resources receive the needed support throughout their training,” the statement read.

Pharmacists

Mr Akandoh added that salary arrears of 321 pharmacist house officers had also been cleared.  

While celebrating the employment of 10,000 nurses and midwives, the Minister of Health acknowledged that over 70,000 qualified health workers remained unemployed.  

“We are working to clear this backlog,” he assured the nation.

Infrastructure

He stated that key projects, including COVID-19 treatment centres and Agenda 111 hospitals that were nearing completion, were being prioritised for completion.

Responding to a question on the future of Agenda 111 projects, the minister explained that the government would prioritise the completion of projects that were more than 80 per cent done.

“Our government’s resolve is clear: to leave no community behind in the journey to excellent health infrastructure,” he said.

Already, Mr Akandoh said the government had continued to upgrade key facilities, including the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Maternity and Children’s Block.

Hospitals such as the Korle Bu and Cape Coast teaching hospitals, as well as the LEKMA Hospital had received new equipment, including ventilators and oxygen plants.  

“These are the tools we need to save lives every day. We remain committed to closing infrastructure and equipment gaps through domestic investment and partnerships with the private sector,” the Minister of Health stressed.

MahamaCares

Mr Akandoh also highlighted progress on the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as MahamaCares, a GH¢3 billion initiative to tackle chronic diseases; plans for a nationwide Free Primary Healthcare; local vaccine manufacturing, including an FDA-approved Snake Anti-Venom Serum productions.  

In spite of the progress, the Health Minister admitted challenges, including unemployed health workers, infrastructure gaps and industrial disputes as some of the challenges, but pledged continued reforms.  

“We are building a stronger, healthier Ghana,” he said, aligning efforts with President Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy Agenda.”