Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) is urging the government to exempt newly recruited nurses from its recent decision to suspend all public sector appointments made after December 7, 2024.

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The association has warned that if these nurses are affected, they will take action in protest.

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In a statement signed by its President, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, and Secretary, Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum, the GRNMA emphasized that newly recruited nurses and midwives play a vital role in Ghana’s healthcare system and should not be removed from their jobs.

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This appeal comes after a directive from the Chief of Staff at Jubilee House, issued on February 10, 2025, ordering the cancellation of all appointments made after December 7, 2024.

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Initially, the GRNMA planned to issue a statement on February 13, 2025, but postponed it after the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, called an emergency meeting to explain the directive.

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According to the Minister, the Ministry of Health (MoH) is reviewing all public sector hires after December 7, 2024, to check for any irregularities. This review includes nurses and midwives, and the GRNMA will be informed of the outcome in due time.

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Meanwhile, on February 12, 2025, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) instructed regional health directors to suspend newly hired nurses who were not yet on the payroll as of January 2025.

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The GRNMA believes this shows that the directive is already being enforced, raising concerns about its impact on healthcare services.

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The association insists that all affected nurses and midwives are fully trained professionals who have undergone proper licensing procedures. They explained that the recruitment process started in mid-2024 when the Ministry of Finance granted approval, leading to the hiring of nurses from the 2020 batch who had completed their one-year internship.

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The GRNMA contended that delays in payroll registration should not be grounds for suspension, adding, “If there is an investigation to be carried out, that process should be completed before the affected individuals are asked to go home and not suspended before the investigations are conducted.”

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The association cautioned the government that the suspension of newly recruited nurses and midwives would have severe consequences on healthcare delivery. It highlighted the already dire nurse-to-patient ratios and the increasing burnout among health workers.

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“More so, current emigration trends amongst Ghanaian nurses and midwives require more personnel to be recruited to strengthen the workforce,” the release stated, adding that removing newly recruited professionals from service would worsen the situation.

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The GRNMA urged the government to reconsider its decision in good faith and exempt nurses and midwives from the directive, stating: “Government should allow our colleagues recruited after December 7, 2024, to stay at post and work because their services are essential in all the health facilities they work.”

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The association advised all nurses and midwives to remain focused and await further directives from their leadership while monitoring developments on the matter closely.

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