UPNMG calls on President Mahama to prioritise Nurses and Midwives’ welfare to save healthcare system

The Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UPNMG) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to address the dire challenges facing the country’s nurses and midwives. The Union noted that the President failed to address the challenges facing nurses and midwives during his first State of the Nation’s address.

 

In a press release, the UPNMG  warned that Ghana’s healthcare system risks collapse if critical issues like poor remuneration, delayed postings, and mass emigration of skilled professionals remain unresolved.

 

The UPNMG indicated the immense challenges  faced by nurses and midwives, including inadequate resources, crumbling infrastructure, and a lack of housing and transportation support. Many professionals, the union stated, are forced to work in “less than ideal” conditions, prompting an exodus of talent to foreign countries.

 

“The government’s silence on these issues in its national address is alarming,” said John Agbenyeavu, UPNMG National Public Relations Officer. “Nurses and midwives are the backbone of healthcare, yet their struggles are being ignored.”

 

The UPNMG  outlined seven key demands for immediate action:

1. Accelerated recruitment and posting of trained nurses and midwives to address staffing shortages.
2. Improved working conditions, including access to essential medical resources.
3. Competitive salaries to retain skilled professionals and curb brain drain.
4. Adequate housing, especially for workers in rural areas.
5. Reinstatement of vehicle import duty waivers to ease transportation burdens.
6. Implementation of rural incentive packages to attract healthcare workers to underserved regions.
7. Direct engagement with unions to develop sustainable solutions.

 

The UPNMG emphasized that Ghana’s healthcare system cannot function without addressing these gaps.

 

“When nurses lack housing or fair pay, their ability to deliver quality care diminishes,” the statement said. “Other nations invest in their healthcare workforce—Ghana must do the same.”

 

The union also warned that the ongoing departure of nurses and midwives abroad threatens to destabilize healthcare delivery nationwide. Over 5,000 Ghanaian healthcare workers reportedly left for Europe, North America, and the Middle East in 2024 alone in search for better opportunities.

 

The UPNMG urged swift action, stating, “The time for empty promises is over. Without support, Ghana’s healthcare system will crumble.”

Read the full statement below:

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