Trainee nurses threaten strike over unpaid allowance

The Ghana Nurses and Midwives Trainees Association (GNMTA) has issued a one month ultimatum to government to pay their allowance or face their wrath.

According to the nurses and midwives, they will no longer tolerate government’s delay in paying their accumulated allowance.

President of the association, Emmanuel Geyevo in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme on Friday, said their patience “has been taken for granted by the government”.

He indicated that the allowance, which has been in arrears since 2012, is putting a financial strain on them and their parents.

“We have had a series of meetings with the Health Minister, and she keeps re-assuring us it will be paid and up till now [the] allowance form for processing are still in our respective schools,” he added.

Mr. Geyevo indicated that they have signed a bond to serve the nation for five years after completion and although they have so far delivered their part of the deal by adhering to the regulations outlined in the bond agreement, government is yet to make the payments promised them.

He warned of a looming crisis in the health sector since they have resolved to embark on a nationwide strike in July if their allowances are not paid.

“We will surprise government if it does not act on our concerns [because] our leniency has been taken to be our weakness”.