Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, has pledged continuous government dialogue with nurses and midwives to improve their working conditions.
That, he said, would boost the morale of health workers and reduce the ‘brain drain’ and improve the healthcare system.
This was in a speech read on behalf of the Minister at this year’s 6th Annual National Dinner and Awards Night in Accra.
The awards night was organised by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association of Ghana, with support from corporate institutions.
The Minister recognised the immense contributions of nurses and midwives for building a strong and resilient healthcare sector.
He said the Ministry had recruited 13,500 nurses and midwives to boost the country’s health workforce.
The Minister said all newly recruited personnel who had experienced delays in their salaries would be paid by the end of the year.
The recruitment, he stressed, formed part of a broader strategy to strengthen frontline healthcare delivery, particularly under the free primary healthcare and Mahama Cares initiatives.
The Ministry of Health received a significant budget approval of GH¢22.8 billion for the 2026 fiscal year, focusing on infrastructure, expanding services like the Free Primary Healthcare package, increasing NHIS funding, and recruiting more health professionals.
The budget prioritises strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving health service delivery, and supporting healthcare workers through compensation and allowances.
He commended the awardees for their strong commitment towards their sacrifices, compassion and services in improving health outcomes.
Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, King of the Akyem Abuakwa Kingdom, commended the nurses and midwives for their dedication to their work, urging them to continue to be the pillar in the advancement of healthcare delivery.
“The value of your profession cannot be measured in the number of hours you work, but the dignity, comfort and hope you offer to patients is well appreciated,” he said.
He called on the government to build a state-of-the-art health facility to open up the country to others for opportunities.
“We can build the best of health infrastructure, but we need dedicated, passionate and compassionate health professionals to save lives,” he said.
Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, said the Service would roll out training of emergency care for basic life support for health workers.
He urged the health professionals to improve on their customer care and reduce complaints at the facilities to build the confidence of the people attending to hospitals.
Dr Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, President of GRNMA, said the awards ceremony was instituted in 2020 to recognise the contributions of staff to health care delivery, especially in the rural communities.
The health care workers are the backbone of the health system and would continue to inspire hope in terms of care across the country.
Madam Beatrice Sewor, Senior Nursing Officer at St. Joseph Catholic Hospital, Nkwanta, Volta Region, emerged as the National Best Nurse/Midwife 2025.
She was awarded because of her dedication, professionalism and commitment to quality care, especially in a challenging rural setting.
Nana Gladys Kusi-Yeboah won the President’s Award for advancing maternal health policy.
Others also received awards for their contributions to the health care system.
GNA
