Unemployed graduate nurses and midwives in Ghana are planning a major protest over delays in government employment. Some graduates have been out of work for up to five years since completing their training.
The Graduate Unemployed Nurses and Midwives Association (GUNMA) is working with the Regional Police Command to get approval and finalize plans for the demonstration. Members warn the protest could escalate to key government offices if their demands are not addressed.
The protest highlights the frustration of thousands of qualified nurses and midwives who remain jobless, even though Ghana faces a shortage of healthcare workers. GUNMA plans to take its grievances directly to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and the Jubilee House.
Sandra Frimpong, Women’s President of GUNMA, told Adom News on December 9 at the National Theatre:
“We are ready to take our complaints to the decision-makers. Enough is enough.”
Graduates say they have invested significant time and resources in their training, only to face years of unemployment. The shortage is felt most in rural and underserved areas, where the country needs nurses and midwives the most.
Experts point to bureaucratic delays as the main problem. Even when the Ministry of Health requests staff, final payroll approval must come from the Ministry of Finance. This process has stalled employment for years, leaving graduates without jobs and the healthcare system understaffed.
GUNMA has held similar protests in the past, often at the Finance Ministry, showing that this problem is ongoing. The association will soon announce the exact date and route of the upcoming protest.
For Ghana’s unemployed health professionals, this protest is a call for justice, recognition, and immediate employment.
