Demonstrating jobless nurses 'ignorant' - Minister

Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, the minister for health has denied claims by the unemployed nurses that have camped at the premises of the Ministry of Health, that they have been bonded with the government and as such need to be immediately employed.

According to him, the nurses’ demonstration is being fueled by their ignorance on the situation at hand.

According to a report by Top FM, the minister disclosed that there was an ongoing financial clearance process with the Ministry of Finance, which would take some time to complete.

Speaking on Top FM’s morning shows, Mr. Agyemang-Manu said, “They are not bonded as you claim; I understand their frustration and we are only sympathizing with them.

Some of them failed their exams and were referred. In fact most of them have a wide range of issues, yet are refusing to be patient and are rather resorting to demonstrating.

I don’t have a problem with them demonstrating, it’s their right.” He further argued that currently, he could do any more than he is, in terms of reassuring the nurses.

His comments come in the wake of the staged camp-out outside the Ministry of Health offices Monday, where a group of unemployed nurses demonstrated against the Ministry and government for failing to honor promises of providing them with jobs.

The group have said they will continue their sleep-in protests at the ministry until their demands are met.

Meanwhile, members of the Coalition of Unemployed Bonded Diploma Nurses have threatened to march to the Flagstaff House, if the Ministry of Health fails to resolve their issues.

They have accused the ministry of failing to understand their needs, and have declared they will no longer allow the frustrations of their current situation to prevail.