The  Ministry of Health has moved to quell rising tensions among its frontline health workers, assuring junior doctors, nurses, and midwives that long-delayed salary arrears will soon be paid.

This follows a wave of discontent sweeping through the country’s healthcare system, with the Junior Doctors’ Association of Ghana (JDA-GH) announcing a nationwide strike set to begin Tuesday, October 7. Their demands? Immediate payment of months-long salary arrears, resolution of stalled postings, and an end to what they call persistent systemic mistreatment.

Their grievances echo those of more than 7,000 nurses and midwives, many of whom have reportedly worked for nearly a year without a single paycheck. On Thursday, October 2, the group took to the streets in protest, demanding answers — and action.

Tony Goodman, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, acknowledged the delays in a Friday morning interview on the Citi Breakfast Show. According to Goodman, the root of the issue lies in rushed recruitments during the previous administration, which led to numerous health professionals being added to the payroll without the necessary financial clearance.

“We had about 1,000 pharmacists who had completed their service but had not received their salaries — but they’ve now been paid,” Goodman said. “Some medical officers were caught in the same situation, and they too have received their payments.”

But frustration still lingers. Many house officers — newly qualified medical doctors in their mandatory post-graduate training — say they’ve yet to see a cedi of the salaries owed them.

Mr.Goodman stressed that the Ministry, under the leadership of Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, is working to resolve the crisis. “We now know those who have been paid and those who are yet to be paid,” he stated, adding that new financial clearances are being processed to ensure every affected health worker is covered.