Health Minister Assures Nurses and Midwives of Salary Arrears Clearance by November

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has assured that all salary arrears owed to nurses and midwives across Ghana will be fully cleared by November 2025. He confirmed that the Ministry of Finance has received Cabinet approval to release the necessary funds for payment — a move expected to ease growing tensions among health workers.

Delayed salaries have sparked widespread frustration within the health sector, with unions warning of possible strikes. Clearing the arrears signals renewed government commitment to health worker welfare, morale, and retention — crucial factors in Ghana’s healthcare delivery system.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh announced that the government will clear all outstanding salary arrears owed to nurses and midwives by November.

He disclosed that the Cabinet has approved the release of funds by the Ministry of Finance, allowing payments to begin immediately.

“As I speak to you now, about 6,500, that will add up to the 7,000 already being paid, making 13,500; that’s a lot, that’s over 6,000. The Cabinet has approved that with immediate effect. Starting from November, the Minister for Finance must pay them. And I have in my hand the letter to that effect,” Mr. Akandoh said.

According to the Minister:

• 7,000 nurses are already receiving payments.
• 3,000 are on the payroll but yet to be paid.
• 3,500 are currently being processed.
  This brings the total to 13,500 affected health workers.

Mr. Akandoh acknowledged the financial hardships nurses and midwives have faced due to the delays, expressing personal empathy for their situation.

“I empathise with anybody who has had to go through this painful situation. It is important for Ghanaians to be taken care of, and for those who take care of them to be fairly treated,” he said.

He reaffirmed that the government remains committed to ensuring the timely payment of entitlements and improving working conditions for all healthcare professionals.

The announcement comes amid ongoing public sector payment reforms aimed at streamlining payroll systems and reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks.

Officials say the move aligns with the Ministry’s broader plan to enhance motivation among frontline health workers and strengthen the nation’s primary healthcare system.

Clearing salary arrears could help rebuild trust between the government and healthcare unions. However, experts say long-term solutions — including digital payroll verification and real-time disbursement systems — are needed to prevent similar delays in the future.