Members of the Union of Trainee Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UTNMG) have threatened to vote against the governing New Patriotic Party in the upcoming polls for neglecting them.

According to the Union, the government under the guidance of President Akufo-Addo has refused to pay them allowances for 19 months, pushing them into hardship, hence their decision.

This was contained in a press release signed by the President of the Union of Trainee Nurses and Midwives, Ghana, Agbeti Robert Immortal.

“The government has demonstrated their consistent failed promises to pay the allowance and that won't be accommodated this time. Trainees will hold politicians accountable, and the outcome of this year's election will reflect the government's neglect of their welfare”, he said.

He indicated the failure to pay the arrears is a clear case of “economic injustice” and "betrayal of trust", hence demanding prompt payment of the arrears by the government.

He acknowledged the NPP Presidential Candidate Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s promise to maintain and ensure consistent payment of teacher trainee allowances adding that “the reality on the ground tells a different story.”

Mr. Immortal raised concerns about the disparity in allowances paid to teacher trainees and their counterparts in the health sector, adding that it “raises serious questions about the government's commitment to fairness and equity.”

“Another striking event in June 2024, the government released GHC219 million to 104,000 Trainee Nurses and Midwives, while GHC216 million was released to 67,000 Teacher Trainees who have several supports from the government, such as absorption of their feeding fees, student loans, and flexible fee payment policy”, he said.

He lamented that the delay in paying the allowances has plagued the nursing and midwife trainees into financial hardship, making it difficult to foot their academic and personal bills.

He said the increment of tuition fees and over 100% increment in admission, with training institutions charging as much as GH₵9,000 worsened their situation as they had to struggle to pay 60% or risk being denied access to dining and examination halls.

He said the feeding costs constitute about 39% to 48% of the school fees being charged and called for the immediate formulation of a reform to restructure the fees.

“Trainee Nurses and Midwives are left to struggle with no respite. While some Health Training Institutions demand 100% payment of fees, few demand 60% of which failure to comply results in expulsion from Dining halls and Examination halls.

“The current system perpetuates inequality, with Nursing Assistant Certificate Holders and Diploma Nurses being charged fees higher than their counterparts offering Degree Nursing.”

“This is unacceptable and demands reconsideration. UTNMG proposes reforms to reduce new bills, make feeding optional, reduce Library fees, and merge all fees related to Computer Maintenance, Internet User fees, and Computer Laboratory Setup fees”.

“The union calls on the government to take immediate action to address these issues and ensure justice and equity in education”, he said.

Mr Immortal also expressed worry about the payment of the National Service allowance to personnel in the health sector, indicating that the allowances have not been fully paid since January 2023.

He said furtherance of this unfortunate treatment to health trainees and service personnel would place the country's health sector in limbo, adding that it may have implications on the attainment of SDGs 1, 4, 8, and 10.

“The government's inaction has battered the trust of the trainees, exacerbated the financial burden on them, and made health training the reserve of the rich minority few.

"There is no denying the fact that the government's inactions have defeated the attainment of SDG Goal: 1; No Poverty, SDG Goal 4; Quality Education, SDG Goal 8; Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG Goal 10; Reduce Inequality.”

“These SDGs are impacted by the government's inactions, which have led to a lack of investment in education, healthcare, and job opportunities, resulting in economic hardship and increased inequalities among trainees. It is time for the government to take responsibility and act now!”, he concluded.