Thomas Nyarko Ampem
Deputy Finance Minister, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has stated that fully meeting the demands of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) would increase the country’s budgeted expenditure by nearly GH֯¢2 billion.
Mr. Nyarko Ampem, during a press engagement emphasised that implementing the demands would not only strain the budget but also potentially derail the country’s economic recovery efforts.
According to him, the government is committed to maintaining a 1.5% primary balance surplus to bring debt levels to sustainable levels, making it crucial to manage expenditures.
Despite the challenges, the government has expressed its willingness to engage with the GRNMA to find a mutually acceptable solution.
Mr. Ampem appealed to the nurses, stating, “From the Ministry of Finance, we want to show our commitment to help and resolve this important issue because our nurses are very important in the healthcare delivery and we appreciate what they do, but the reality is we have over 1,200 nurses and the implementations they are demanding will have serious consequences for the budget.”
“In fact, if we fully implement it, we are going to add in excess of 2 billion cedis to the compensation budget. We have all committed that in our resolve to reset the economy, we must maintain a 1.5% primary balance surplus every year in order to bring our debt levels to sustainable levels. So it’s important for us to manage expenditure. So we want to appeal to our revered nurses that we are willing to sit with them and the Health Ministry to agree on a roadmap that will help us incorporate what can be accommodated into the budget for next year,” he added.
However, the GRNMA remains resolute in its rejection of the government’s proposal to defer implementation until 2026, citing unfair treatment compared to other unions.
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, also emphasised the government’s awareness of the risks associated with unplanned spending.
“The government will again stress its readiness to further engage with the view of implementing the conditions of service in a manner that does not dislocate the national budget,” he stated.
He further explained that the proposed benefits were not factored into the national financial plan.
“We wish to draw attention to the fact that the conditions under reference are not captured in the 2025 budget, and will completely throw the economy off gear if implemented immediately in the manner it currently exists.”
The minister appealed to the leadership of the GRNMA to return to the negotiating table and work toward a compromise.
A Daily Guide Report