News
Minority demands immediate action on delayed health worker salaries
The Minority in Parliament is calling on government to take urgent steps to pay the salaries of thousands of health workers who have not been paid for months.
Ranking Member on the Health Committee, Dr. Ayew Afriyie, expressed disappointment in the Ministry of Health for failing to resolve the issue, even though funds had already been allocated for the workers.
He explained that the financial clearance for recruiting the workers expired in December 2024 but could have been extended, as is normally done in the public service.
According to him, the government failed to act in time for political reasons, even though the workers were already at post and filling critical gaps in the health sector.
“Money was allocated for 15,000 workers. About 8,000 started work, and the rest were later engaged by the Ghana Health Service. Yet government did not extend the clearance. The institutions didn’t reject the workers either because they were needed. Now, ten months down the line, government is embarrassed because the workers are protesting,” Dr. Afriyie explained.
He criticised the Health Minister for seeking fresh cabinet approval, describing it as unnecessary since clearance had already been granted.
“You don’t need to go to cabinet when you already have clearance. This shows poor management and neglect of our frontline workers,” he said.
Dr. Afriyie added that the Minority had earlier shown patience and understanding by urging nurses to suspend their strike and return to work while government addressed their concerns.
However, he warned that their patience was running out, accusing the government of taking the youth for granted.
He stressed that the Minority would continue to speak up for health workers and ensure they are treated fairly, as their service is essential to saving lives.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minority in Parliament has strongly objected to any planned merger or partnership between the government and Telecel, describing the deal as “technically, operationally, and financially unconscionable.”
Ranking Member on the Communications Committee, Matthew Nyindam, raised the concern during a media briefing in Parliament.
He questioned why both the Minister of Communications and Telecel would publicly announce a merger and then suddenly go silent on the matter.
“We object to any deal with Telecel by way of merger, absorption, or acquisition. This is a scheme to dispose of a national asset to fill private pockets,” Mr. Nyindam stated.
He argued that Telecel has not demonstrated any special technical or operational expertise that staff and management of AT (formerly AirtelTigo) do not already possess.
According to him, Telecel had earlier promised to invest $500 million after acquiring Vodafone Ghana but failed to do so, a situation he fears could repeat itself if the government allows another deal.
Mr. Nyindam claimed that Telecel was already indebted to the tune of $400 million, adding that the company only seeks to benefit from AT’s over three million customers to expand its own base without making any real investment.
“The government must not surrender the capacity of a state-owned company to a private entity through majority ownership. There is no clear plan to protect the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of workers,” he stressed.
The Minority Caucus is therefore calling on the government to halt any discussions or agreements with Telecel regarding the proposed merger, insisting that the deal is not in the national interest.
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bryan Acheampong, has called for an emergency 90-day suspension of all forms of mining in Ghana to help restore polluted rivers and water bodies.
He made the call during his campaign tour, where he engaged party members and residents on issues of national concern, including security, the environment, and responsible mining.
Mr Acheampong explained that the temporary ban should take place during the rainy season to allow the environment to recover naturally while the nation rethinks its mining practices.
“Let’s clear our water bodies and engage on how we can go back to mining. I’m not talking about a state of emergency, but mining, regardless of where, should stop now for the next 90 days,” he said.
He warned that illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, continues to poison food sources and destroy farmlands, posing a major threat to public health and food security.
“If our food systems are being poisoned and we just look on because we prefer to make money, our people will not be around in a very short time to address the situation,” he cautioned.
Mr Acheampong urged government, miners, and local leaders to use the proposed 90-day period to develop a sustainable framework for responsible mining that protects both livelihoods and the environment.
By: Jacob Aggrey
