Gov't Can Only Recruit What It Can Pay For – Health Minister Clarifies

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has clarified that government recruitment of nurses and midwives is determined by available funds in the national budget.

Speaking at a stakeholder engagement, the Minister denied reports suggesting he claimed Ghana is producing more nurses and midwives than the country needs.

"All of you were present during the engagement. I never sought to establish that we have produced more nurses or midwives than we need as a country. I never said that, never," he stressed.

"What I clearly stated was that the budget, or the country, can only recruit what we can pay for."

Mr. Akandoh said government has a budget to manage and cannot recruit beyond what it can afford, adding that his office remains open to engagement, questions and clarifications from stakeholders.

"We opened ourselves. If there are clarifications we will provide, if there are questions we will respond to them. But we don't finish this engagement and you go and set your own set of questions and attempt to answer the questions. That is not fair," he said.

He emphasized that government is open to criticisms but should not mislead the public.

"We are open to criticisms but we should not be misleading the public," the Minister added.