04/05/2020
For immediate release
*GHANA NURSE-MIDWIFE TRAINEES' ASSOCIATION (GNMTA)*
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
*UPDATE ON THE TRAINEE NURSE AND MIDWIVES' ALLOWANCES*
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Date: Thursday, 30th April, 2020.
------------------------------------------------
The *National Executive Board (NEB)* of *Ghana Nurse-Midwife Trainees' Association (GNMTA)* extends warm greetings its revered members. It is our hope that you all doing well and adhering strictly to the precautionary measures put in place to curb the pandemic "COVID-19".
The NEB which took office on the mantra of using all earnest in addressing concerns of its members has never shirk on that and will continue with such.
The sentiments and plights of student Nurses and Midwives in Ghana concerning the payment of allowances were laid bare before the MoH Allowance Department, and it includes;
Foremost, some Trainees did not receive the last payment of allowances which was effected by MoH ,ie. *September, October and November* together with others who have not received it for over 7months, 10months and even 13months.
In addition, the NEB sought to inquire as to when the next payment of allowances will be effected.
The MoH Allowance Department in a discourse with GNMTA unleashed the following responses;
● To begin with the query put before them on some students not receiving the allowances for stipulated months, the Allowance Department expressed their empathy and voiced out of not been happy with the matter as such.
● Nonetheless, the MoH Allowance Department stated that, there is enough money to cover all the arrears and truthfully there shouldn't have been any arrears in that regard but due to technical challenges, data errors and also deviant banks, this ocular problem always elicit.
● The MoH Allowance Department has contacted GHIBPS(the company in charge of effecting payments) and said all arrears should have been paid by now but due to the outbreak of the COVID-19, most staffs were not working and they have now started working on the data of those that have been affected.
Hopefully, *Trainees who are owed some months of arrears by the Government will be receiving alearts in no time.*
● To continue with, referencing to the query made on the issue of the rest of the months, i.e. *December, January, February and March,* the Allowance Department expatiate to the gist as to why payment has been delayed.
● The MoH Allowance Department opened up on the modus operandi concerning the payment of Trainees allowances.
The Ministry of Finance first gave authorization to the Controller Accountants General Department for them to process and release the money to MoH to effect payment.
(The warrant was sent by M*F before the outbreak and it was for the month of *December, January and February allowances*)
● The Controller Accountants General Department should have used about two to three weeks to process and release the money but unfortunately, the metamorphosis due to the COVID-19 outbreak put things in a fitful manner.
● The MoH Allowance Department has contacted the Controller Accountants General Department on that and they reverted that due to the Public Service Commission directives to workers on COVID-19, *some services are not functioning under full capacity and most of the Schedule officers working on the allowances are not yet in*.
● In view of that, the MoH Allowance Department ensure the NEB of GNMTA to inform and assure our members that, the Ministry has made follow ups concerning the allowances for the month of *December, January and February* and members are to exercise high restraint and give them up to the two weeks extension of public service restrictions by the President, the review of the restrictions by the President in his next address will determine when the allowances will be paid.
● We, the National Executive Board (NEB) of GNMTA is optimistic that student Nurses and Midwives in Ghana will be smiling with the payment of the next three months allowances by the end of May as all resources are been harnessed to ensure that.
● The NEB as stated categorically and unequivocally to work towards the welfare of its members has officially *PETITION the Conference of Heads of Health Training Institutions (COHHETI)* to help make the fight a success.
We want to use this opportunity to let members understand that we are not in normal times as said by the President of the Republic of Ghana, COVID-19 is a respecter of no Religion, no Ethnicity, no Tribe, no Gender, and no Age, but one thing we are certain is that, if we are together, if we help break the cycle, if we help stop the spread, we can defeat our common enemy because no one is safe until everybody is safe and *GNMTA is committed to this fight* and do admonish members to follow suit.
Let's wear our nose mask when we are outside. Let's ensure Social distancing and if possible *let's Stay Home.*
To our dear muslims brothers and Sisters,
Do not feel weak during this blessed month, keep on with your pursuit for we know that your reward is with Allah (God) because Allah (God) is wise,
Allahu Akhbar (Allah (God) is the greatest).
May the peace, understanding and unity be amongst us all during this month.
*Ramadan Kareem.*
_*GNMTA will continue to do all for the health of all.*
*Signed:✍🏽*
*AMFO-ADJEI ELIJAH*
( *NATIONAL GNMTA PRESIDENT)*
📞+233 (0)20-983-5302 / 24-865-8031
*ASAAH LAMBERT NSOBILA*
( *NATIONAL GNMTA GENERAL SECRETARY)*
📞+233 (0)20-993-0548
*NIMOH JESUS*
( *NATIONAL GNMTA PRO )*
📞+233 (0)54-180-8863/ 50-147-5585
Let us get interactive on social media ;
*Facebook: Gnmta National*
*Twitter: GNMTAOFFICIAL20*
*_📧Gmail: [email protected]*
🎙Kindly share to get it to the last trainee nurse and midwife
