The Government of Ghana has officially approved fuel and uniform allowances for nurses and midwives, responding to persistent demands by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA). These critical allowances will be featured in the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review set to be presented to Parliament on July 17.
This development comes after months of tension between the government and healthcare professionals. In June 2025, more than 128,000 nurses and midwives launched a nationwide strike, protesting the government’s delay in implementing the 2024 Conditions of Service agreement. Although the strike was suspended on June 14, the union emphasized that it remains on hold, not cancelled, pending full resolution.
After intense negotiations involving the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, the fuel and uniform allowances for nurses and midwives have now been cleared. According to the Information Services Department (ISD), Cabinet has approved these payments to be included in the budget through a mid-year adjustment. This follows complaints from GRNMA that delays in allowance disbursements have demoralized staff and created financial challenges, particularly for newly posted and rotational healthcare workers.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who led the government’s delegation, assured the GRNMA that discussions would continue to address the remaining issues under a phased plan. These include on-call support, rural service incentives, training support, and a proposed 13th-month salary. Dr. George Smith Graham, Chief Executive of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), stated that these upcoming talks are not a renegotiation but part of an ongoing process to meet all outstanding demands. Another meeting is scheduled for July 22, 2025.
While welcoming the approval of fuel and uniform allowances for nurses and midwives, GRNMA President Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo expressed disappointment with the overall government offer, calling it below expectations. She emphasized that full implementation of the 2024 agreement remains non-negotiable. The association has already informed its members about the update, reiterating that the strike remains suspended and could be reactivated if conditions are not fully met.
The inclusion of fuel and uniform allowances for nurses and midwives in the budget signals a partial breakthrough in the ongoing labor dispute. However, it also highlights the urgent need for long-term solutions to prevent further disruptions in Ghana’s healthcare system. The GRNMA insists that the full agreement must be captured in the 2026 national budget to ensure fairness, motivation, and retention of nurses and midwives across the country.
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