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| Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh |
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that government is working toward clearing all outstanding salary arrears owed to 13,500 health professionals by the end of July 2026. This follows several months of delayed payments affecting nurses and midwives across the country.
Speaking during an appearance on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, April 22, the Minister explained that a structured payment plan is already underway to address the situation in phases.
He noted that by the close of April, the affected workers are expected to receive two months’ worth of arrears. This will be followed by an additional three months of payments by the end of June, with the remaining balance scheduled to be fully settled in July.
According to the Minister, the arrears issue arose due to a disconnect between recruitment and the availability of financial resources. He explained that the government inherited a system where thousands of health workers had been employed without the necessary budgetary backing.
He further highlighted that the health sector has experienced a significant increase in trained personnel in recent years. The workforce has grown from approximately 74,000 to nearly 100,000 by the end of 2025, leaving many still awaiting absorption into the system.
Although there are unfilled positions within the sector, the Minister emphasized that hiring decisions are strictly tied to available financial capacity. He reiterated that recruitment can only proceed based on what the national budget can support in terms of salary payments.
Akandoh concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to resolving the arrears, noting that all affected workers have now been placed on payroll, with payments being made in stages until full clearance is achieved by July.