The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has questioned the basis for the increment of the nurses’ certificate verification fee from Gh¢550 to Gh¢3000 by the Nurses and Midwifery Council (NMC).
According to the general secretary of the association, Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum, some nurses in the country even earn less than Ghc¢3000. He argued that the nurses are unable to pay the new fee because some earn below the new fee.
Speaking to Alfred Ocansey on Ghana Tonight yesterday [Thursday, March 21], Dr. Tenkorang-Twum said, “We are calling for immediate withdrawal of that fee so that we can get the opportunity to sit down and determine appropriate fees that nurses and midwives can pay.”
He bemoaned the manner of treatment meted out to nurses and midwives in the country, indicating that the new fee would not be accepted.
“If they are throwing hot air, then they should advise themselves. Because we have taken time to analyse the way a manner nurses and midwives are treated in this country. It will not continue, and we will not accept this kind of disdainful treatment.
“How can you increase something from [550] Ghana Cedis to 3,000? How do you expect somebody to cough out 3,000 Ghana Cedis, which is even more than his or her salary to pay for just verification?” he quizzed.
According to him, the verification process should even be provided at no fee, emphasising that the verification process is not just for travel purposes.
Increased Verification fees for Nurses and Midwives: How do you expect nurses to pay GHC 3000 when some even take less? – Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum, General Secretary, Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association#GhanaTonight pic.twitter.com/QH3Q3j9RaU
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) March 22, 2024
“Verification is not for only people who are traveling for greener pastures, even if you are going to school abroad, you may be required or even if you are in-country and you get an opportunity to work with an NGO or any establishment, it may be required of you to verify whether indeed you are a practicing nurse or midwife,” he explained.
Background
Effective March 8, 2024, the NMC increased the amount a nurse or midwife had to pay for certificate verification to Gh¢3000.
The GRNMA said the service cost GH¢550 previously. They contended that it is highly unacceptable to have the fee increased to GH¢3000, which is a 445% increment from the previous amount.
The association, in a March 11 statement, noted, amongst other concerns, that, “if the huge increment in the verification fee is an attempt to curtail the emigration of nurses and midwives, then we find it unfortunate.”
The Association underscored the importance of the government introducing policies that ensure that nurses and midwives in Ghana are given better conditions of service compared to their counterparts in other jurisdictions instead of making their lives rather unbearable.
“Migration is the right of every worker and as a nation, we must avert our minds to the reasons why these professionals are emigrating to the high-income earning countries rather than institute policies that make the life of the worker more unbearable.”
Meanwhile, the association therefore called on its members not to pay the new fees while urging Parliament to intervene.
“The Parliament of Ghana, as a matter of urgency and consideration for the plight of Ghanaian nurses and midwives, should look into this matter and revert to the old fees. If indeed any such increment must happen, we wish to humbly inform Parliament that we the nurses and midwives of Ghana can accommodate a maximum of 25% increment.