Frontline confusion: Set up a package for all health workers – Mahama to Akufo-Addo

Former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama says it would have been useful if the government had considered a package that would cover all healthcare staff rather than a hefty package for only ‘frontline health workers’.

Government has announced tax holidays for three months and allowances of 50% of their salaries for the three months.

However, there seems to be confusion as to who qualifies as a frontline health worker in the fight against the deadly Coronavirus.

The government has said it is currently meeting to define the modalities for payment and which staff of the Ghana Health Service qualify as front line health workers.

But reacting to this in a write-up on the ongoing partial lockdown, John Dramani Mahama said it would have been prudent on the part of the government to set out a package that covered all health workers.

He said: “It may have been useful to consider a package that would cover all healthcare staff rather than a hefty package for only ‘frontline health workers’. The government should consider a package that benefits all health care staff who are working”.

The former President suggested that “Consultations with professional groups of health workers on how to administer the incentives can result in a conclusion that is acceptable to all of them”.

Ghana’s case count as of today stands at 313 with death toll sitting at 6.