A Ghanaian physician based in the US, Dr. Arthur Kennedy, has highlighted the importance of addressing the retirement plans for health workers in Ghana rather than solely discussing car allowances.

Dr. Kennedy recalls conversations among young Ghanaian doctors about "The Mustapha-hiade syndrome," which refers to doctors who struggle to make ends meet after decades of dedicated service once they are on pension.

To address this issue, Dr. Kennedy suggests a proposal. After approximately 10 to 15 years of service, he recommends that the government provide health workers with half of their retirement funds and designate it as a down payment for a residence.

The remaining amount can then be paid gradually as they continue their careers.

“We need to look at retirement security for those who are back in the system. Young doctors use to talk during my time there about Mustapha-hiade syndrome. They were referring to doctors who were distinguished and very respected who have given three to four decades of service and then when they retired they lived in penury.”

“We need to look at retirement security. For example, after somebody has worked for maybe 10 to 15 years, give them half of their retirement money and then the government marks it as a down payment for a residence and then the rest of their career they are paying for it, do the same thing with vehicle. When you do those things, then they feel more invested in the system and then also make sure that their living circumstances match that of their colleagues’ who went into politics and other professions,” he said on JoyNews’ AM show on Monday.

There is a growing call for stringent measures to address the challenges faced by health workers in the country. Nurses are leaving the country in search of better working conditions in developed nations like the US and UK.

Alongside the concerns about attrition within the health sector, there is also a discussion regarding the issue of qualified nurses not being assigned to various health institutions. Experts suggest that the number of nurses who have not been posted exceeds those leaving the sector for better opportunities elsewhere, posing a significant concern.

The General Secretary of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum, highlights the lack of recognition as a demotivating factor for health workers in the country. He explains that negotiated payment ranges for different categories of health workers, such as midwife specialists, senior specialist nurse midwives, and consultant nurse midwife specialists, have been reduced without consulting the health unions.

To address these issues, Dr. Tenkorang-Twum and other representatives have petitioned the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, seeking assistance in resolving their concerns and improving the working conditions of health workers.