Angry unemployed nurses protest against NABCO

Angry unemployed nurses in Ghana hit the streets of Accra on Monday to register their displeasure and frustration at President Akufo-Addo’s decision to employ them under the Nation Builders’ Corps (NABCO) programme.

The agitated nurses who are members of the Ghana Nurse-Midwife Trainee Association numbering over hundred marched in protest against government’s decision to enroll some of them on the Heal Ghana module under the NaBCo initiative with a monthly salary of GHC700.

According to the nurses, it was an insult to their profession and very discriminatory thus they want the better policy which would be fair and equal.

The nurses marched through the principal streets of Accra, from the Obra Spot at Kwame Nkrumah Circle passing through Adaraka, Makola, Tema Station and ended at the Accra Art Center.

The government has however explained that unemployed nurses who sign unto the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) will still be posted given when they eventually receive financial clearance from the Finance Ministry.

Expressing their disappointment in the Akufo-Addo’s regime, the unemployed nurses said the government has failed to fulfill its promise during the 2016 election campaign.

According to the aggrieved health officials, the ‘Heal Ghana’ policy implemented by the government would deprive them of special benefits which has been given to nurses on Government’s pay roll. The denied benefits they said included an Insurance package, working leave, good salary and other essential benefits.

They emphatically vowed to hold continuous demonstrations if the President and Health Ministry fails to address their challenges.

The deputy Health Minister, Tina Mensah picked up the petition letter at the Art Center on behalf of the Vice President of Ghana, Mahamudu Bawumia.