Angry nurses Wednesday stormed the premises of the Ministry of Health in protest of government’s decision to halt their recruitment into public health institutions.
The government in a statement issued by the sector Minister, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu suspended “all recruitment activities for the 8,634 nurses and other health staff until further notice.”
The statement, however, clarified that the suspension was not a cancellation of the recruitment process but was meant to allow the ministry to finalise all issues related to the financial clearance.
Meanwhile, before his exit, former president John Mahama gave the financial clearance for the recruitment of the nurses.
Starr News’ Daniel Nii Lartey reporting from the Ministry said the protesting nurses with their toothbrushes, blankets, hair brushes, tooth paste and other personal belongings say they will picket at the premises until their issues are resolved.
Some of the nurses who spoke to Starr News on condition of anonymity expressed disgust at the way they are being treated.
“We want to work. We brought our bed. We are not going anywhere,” said one of the nurses.
“We can’t wait anymore! We want our posting,” added another, asking “why are we not part of Ghana?”
“We are hungry…why? What wrong have we done to you,” thundered another.
Speaking exclusively to Starr News, the Director at the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakaria said they had asked the nurses to go and use the appropriate channels to address their grievances.
She said the ministry cannot ascertain if all of the protesting nurses are actually nurses.
