The Junior Doctors Association of Ghana (JDA-GH) has vowed to resist what it calls the “continued exploitation” of its members, citing months of unpaid salaries, halted postings, and neglect by government.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, October 2, 2025, the association revealed that more than 200 junior doctors have been working between 10 and 14 months without pay, while some medical officers who were previously on payroll have inexplicably had their salaries stopped.
Beyond this, over 800 doctors have been awaiting posting for the past one year and four months – a situation the group describes as “inhumane and unacceptable.”
“The continued exploitation of junior doctors will no longer be tolerated,” the association declared, stressing that the Ministry of Health and the Government of Ghana must take full responsibility for the looming disruption in healthcare delivery.
The JDA said the goodwill it had extended to authorities over several months of dialogue has not been reciprocated. “Despite repeated engagements with authorities and good-will shown towards the government, no solutions have been offered,” the statement noted.
READ: Exploitation of junior doctors will no longer be tolerated – JDA
As a result, the group announced a nationwide withdrawal of services, to be rolled out in phases. Outpatient services will be withdrawn from Tuesday, October 7 to Thursday, October 9, 2025. From Friday, October 10, 2025, emergency services will also be withdrawn until further notice. Inpatients will continue to receive care until discharged, but no new admissions will be taken.
The statement urged all stakeholders to intervene immediately to resolve what they described as a grave injustice against young medical professionals.
Meanwhile earlier on the same day (October 2), a coalition of unpaid nurses and midwives, representing about 7,000 health professionals, besieged the Ministry of Health in Accra to submit a petition over months of unpaid salaries.
Convenor of the coalition, Stephen Kwadwo Takyiah, described the situation as “unfair and unsustainable,” noting that many had worked in hospitals and clinics nationwide for nine to ten months without pay.
The nurses and midwives demanded three key interventions: immediate allocation of funds to clear arrears, a clear payment timeline, and stronger coordination between the Finance and Health Ministries to avert future delays.
Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko, who received the petition, apologised for the hardship endured and assured the group that their concerns would be addressed in the upcoming budget to be presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
Below is a copy of the statement:
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
