GRNMA Calls for Exemption of Newly Recruited Nurses from Government’s Suspension Directive

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has called on the government to exclude newly recruited nurses from its recent directive suspending all public service appointments made after December 7, 2024.

In a statement signed by its President, Mrs. Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, and Secretary, Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum, the association cautioned that if the directive impacts its members, it will take necessary industrial action in solidarity with the affected nurses.

This follows a directive issued by the Chief of Staff at Jubilee House on February 10, 2025, under reference number SCR/DA85/85/01/A, titled “Revocation of Appointments and Recruitments Made After December 7, 2024.”

The GRNMA stressed that the suspension must not apply to nurses and midwives recruited after the said date, as they are integral to Ghana’s healthcare system. The association warned that halting their employment would significantly disrupt healthcare services, worsen the already fragile nurse-to-patient ratio, and add undue pressure on an overstretched workforce.

Concerns Over Government’s Investigation

The GRNMA’s National Executive Committee and National Council convened an emergency meeting on February 13, 2025, to discuss the directive. While a press statement was initially planned, the association postponed it after an urgent meeting with Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to gain clarity on the matter.

According to the Minister, the Ministry of Health (MoH) is currently reviewing all public sector recruitments made after December 7, 2024, to ensure adherence to proper hiring protocols. The ministry has assured the GRNMA that findings from this investigation will be shared in due course.

However, a circular issued by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on February 12, 2025, directed divisional and regional health directors to suspend newly recruited nurses who had not yet been added to the payroll as of January 2025. The GRNMA noted that this action indicates the Chief of Staff’s directive is already being enforced, raising serious concerns about its immediate impact on healthcare service delivery.

Defense of the Recruitment Process

The association strongly defended the legitimacy of the recruitment process, emphasizing that all affected nurses and midwives had undergone rigorous training and licensing requirements before their employment.

It clarified that the hiring process started in mid-2024, following an application for financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance. The recruits in question belong to the 2020 cohort of nurses and midwives who had already completed their mandatory one-year internship.

The GRNMA argued that payroll registration delays should not justify suspensions. It insisted that any investigations into recruitment procedures should be concluded before any decisions are made, rather than suspending employees while inquiries are still ongoing.

Urgent Appeal for Reconsideration

The association warned that suspending newly recruited nurses and midwives would have dire consequences on Ghana’s healthcare system, especially given the increasing emigration of health workers. It urged the government to prioritize workforce expansion rather than shrinkage.

“The government must allow our colleagues recruited after December 7, 2024, to continue working, as their services are crucial in all healthcare facilities where they are stationed,” the statement emphasized.

The GRNMA urged the government to reconsider its decision in good faith and assured all nurses and midwives that their leadership is closely monitoring the situation. The association also encouraged its members to remain calm and await further directives.