Lack of data delaying payment of allowances for frontline health staff – Finance Ministry

The Ministry of Finance has blamed delays in payments of allowances for frontline health workers on the failure of the Health Ministry to submit data.

Answering a question on the floor of Parliament, Deputy Minister for Finance, Charles Adu Boahen disclosed that health workers on the COVID-19 frontline will be paid their 50% special allowance as soon as the data is made available.

According to the Deputy Minister, the government has set aside over 80 million Ghana cedis to pay the workers for the 6 months period announced by President Akufo-Addo.

Ho Central MP Benjamin Kpodo whose question brought the Deputy Minister to the house has however described the response as unsatisfactory.

Speaking to Kasapa News Mr. Kpodo accused the government of deceiving the health workers.

According to him, it shouldn’t take government more than 3 months to compile simple data for payment of the allowances to the health workers fighting Covid-19 on behalf of the country.

President Akufo-Addo has announced the extension of the incentive package for health workers by another three (3) months.

This means that all health workers will pay no income taxes for the next three months, i.e. July, August and September. Again, all frontline health workers, as defined by the Ministry of Health, will continue to receive the additional allowance of fifty percent (50%) of their basic salary per month, i.e. for July, August and September.

The President in April first announced a three-month incentive package for health workers due to the immense dedication and hard work being exhibited by them as they continue to care for those affected by the coronavirus, and for the sick in general.