The Minority in Parliament has accused Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh of giving false assurances to health professionals regarding financial clearance for their employment and the payment of outstanding salaries.
Speaking at a press conference on October 13, Akandoh claimed Cabinet had approved financial clearance for various health professionals, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.
However, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, Ranking Member on the Health Committee and MP for Effiduase-Asokore, refuted this, stating the clearance expired in December 2024 under the previous administration and was never renewed.
He alleged that although funds were allocated to recruit 15,000 health workers, only 7,000 to 8,000 were hired before the change in government. The rest were later absorbed by the Ghana Health Service without valid clearance. Dr. Afriyie questioned why the government didn’t seek an extension and criticized the move to seek Cabinet approval when funds were already available.
He described the situation as a cover-up of poor handling and urged the Health Minister to provide accurate information on the status of financial clearances and arrears payments.
Author: Jasmine Adjei
Development journalist
