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 Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Abena Osei Asare has expressed concerns about the failure of the Administrator of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Mr. Paul Adjei to honour invitation of the Committee to assist in dealing with abandoned projects cited in the 2024 Auditor-General’s report.
She emphasised that some of the projects have been abandoned for more than 20 years and it kept reoccurring in the Auditor-General’s report yearly, stressing that the GETFund Administrator could assist by prioritising these projects.
However, he has failed to personally appear before the Committee since the commencement of the Committee’s public hearing in the 9th Parliament.
According to the 2024 Auditor-General’s report on Pre-University Educational Institutions, nine (9) Institutions with 16 projects awarded by the GET Fund Secretariat had been abandoned/delayed for a period ranging between three (3) and 28 years.
Some of the affected schools include Adanwomoase Senior High School (Boys and Girls dormitory abandoned for 12 years), Atoa Senior High School (Home Economics Block abandoned for 27 years), Beposo Senior High School (Dinning Hall and Kitchen Complex abandoned for 10 years and lastly KNUST Senior High School (Three storey classroom block abandoned for 20 years).
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy continued its oversight responsibilities with a working visit to the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) yesterday.
Chairman of the Committee, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, said the visit formed part of efforts to familiarize members with the Authority’s operations and to explore ways Parliament could provide the necessary support.
He explained that the NPA’s work is focused on regulating Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector, a critical area for national energy security.
Mr. Bedzrah noted that the Committee is particularly interested in assessing whether the country has adequate petroleum stock to meet demand.
He noted that rising geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing US–Iran conflict, could have adverse effect on Ghana’s energy supply and pricing.
He further disclosed that the Committee intends to engage closely with the Authority on a proposed new petroleum bill.
According to him, a draft of the legislation will be reviewed and possibly presented to Parliament under a certificate of urgency.
News1 week ago“We are working to transform the Kwahu Business Village into an international conference hub”
- News1 week ago
Kwahu Business Forum:My engagement with President Mahama has boosted my business — Lydia Forson
- News1 week ago
DeniiNoi Foundation Supports Taifa Polyclinic with Medical Equipment
