Government’s Decision to Revoke Nurses’ Recruitment Worrisome – Emmanuel Kesse

The government’s recent decision, as announced by the Chief of Staff, Hon. Julius Debrah, to revoke the last-minute recruitment of nurses under the erstwhile Nana Akufo-Addo administration has sparked widespread outrage among public service professionals.

The Ghana Health Service, along with other public sector agencies, has described the move as worrisome, calling on the government to reconsider its decision.

Adding his voice to the concerns, the Juaben Municipal Chairman of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Emmanuel Kesse, has strongly criticized the decision. He argues that the country is already facing a dire shortage of healthcare professionals, and revoking the recruitment will only worsen the situation.

In an exclusive interview with GhanaNewsOnline.com.gh, Mr. Kesse stated that the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association had hoped the new recruits would help alleviate the severe human resource shortages in the healthcare sector.

He further highlighted the alarming rate of brain drain, with many nurses leaving Ghana for better opportunities abroad. According to him, the government’s decision will only exacerbate the problem, making the nursing profession even less attractive.

“Nurses and midwives go through a lot after completing their training. Some remain unemployed for months before they can even begin their national service, while others complete their service without receiving their due salaries. This is disgraceful and demeaning to the profession,” he lamented.

Mr. Kesse, therefore, urged the government to reconsider its stance and allow the newly recruited nurses to assume their roles while investigations into the recruitment process continue.

“We believe that anyone who has gone through the required financial and recruitment processes is qualified to work. The government should let the recruits do their job while any necessary investigations proceed,” he emphasized.

As the situation unfolds, healthcare professionals are calling on the government to prioritize the nation’s healthcare needs and reverse its decision to revoke the recruitment of nurses.

Source: William Dei Gyau