The Graduate Unemployed Nurses and Midwives’ Association (GUNMA) has rejected a proposed voluntary service programme for unemployed nurses and midwives, describing it as an inappropriate substitute for formal employment.
In a statement, the association said its members were not opposed to serving Ghana but were concerned about the manner in which voluntary service was being presented to qualified professionals who had waited for years for employment.
GUNMA said its members were trained, qualified and ready to work, and therefore called on the government to prioritise its recruitment commitments rather than encourage unemployed health professionals to provide voluntary services.
The association cited President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to recruit 16,000 healthcare workers this year, as well as assurances from the Ministry of Health that an additional 8,000 healthcare workers are expected to be recruited before the end of the year.
According to GUNMA, linking voluntary service to potential future employment creates undue pressure on unemployed nurses and midwives who are already desperate for jobs.
“If the service is genuinely voluntary, why should volunteering today potentially determine who gets an opportunity to be employed tomorrow?” the association questioned.
GUNMA’s demands
GUNMA said voluntary service must not be used as a replacement for the promised recruitment of healthcare professionals.
The association is demanding:
- The fulfilment of the promised recruitment of 16,000 healthcare workers.
- Clarity and action on the additional 8,000 recruitment expected before the end of the year.
- A fair, transparent and equitable recruitment process.
- An end to the use of future employment opportunities as an incentive for unpaid professional service.
GUNMA stressed that its members were not refusing to serve Ghana, but were instead demanding that the government honour its recruitment commitments and respect the professional training of nurses and midwives.
The association has also called on media organisations and other stakeholders to investigate the matter and bring the concerns of unemployed nurses and midwives to the attention of the public.
“Desperation for employment should never become a reason to place qualified professionals under undue pressure,” GUNMA said.
The association concluded by urging the government and the Ministry of Health to fulfil their commitments to Ghana’s unemployed health professionals.
GUNMA’s position: Fair recruitment now and fulfilment of the 16,000 recruitment commitment, alongside clarity on the additional 8,000.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Mavis Fantevi
