The Minority in Parliament has condemned the government’s announcement to recruit 15,200 nurses and midwives as a mere political tactic.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) revealed that the recruitment would commence on Monday, August 5, 2024.
However, the Minority argues that this move mirrors a similar strategy employed in the 2020 election cycle, where recruitment portals were opened for healthcare workers but appointments were deferred until after the elections, suggesting a pattern of politically motivated delays.
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, has advised healthcare professionals to remain wary of such last-minute recruitment promises. He expressed skepticism about the government’s intentions, suggesting that the timing of this announcement is strategically aligned with upcoming political events rather than addressing genuine staffing needs.
In a related issue, Mr. James Agalga, the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee and MP for Builsa North, has raised concerns about potential recruitment into the security services, including the police, immigration, fire, and prisons.
Mr. Agalga disclosed that the Minority has information suggesting these recruitment processes might occur without the requisite public advertisement of vacancies, which he argues breaches constitutional requirements.
Mr. Agalga has called on the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate and ensure that all recruitment processes comply with legal standards. He stressed that transparent and lawful recruitment practices are essential to maintaining trust and integrity in public service appointments.