The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described President John Mahama’s GH¢150 monthly allowance promise to trainee nurses in the country as blatant lie, meant only to win undeserved votes.
Dr Nsiah Asare, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), who is a leading member of the NPP, said President Mahama and the NDC are desperate for political power, hence the sudden promise.
He has consequently dared President Mahama to produce the source of funding for the GH¢150 monthly allowance fee for trainee nurses, stressing that “this GH¢150 promise even though it is too small, I bet you, it is not realistic because there is no money to pay the trainee nurses. This GH¢150 promise was not captured in the budget.
“I, therefore, dare President Mahama to boldly come out and tell Ghanaians about the source and funding of this GH¢150 monthly allowance for the trainee nurses. It is meant to win votes from the nurses.”
Dr Asare was addressing hundreds of NPP supporters during the campaign launching of the Offinso South Constituency NPP on Sunday which was captured live by Ashh FM as part of the station’s ‘People’s Forum’ programme.
The former KATH CEO charged nurses in the country, notably those in the training schools, to reject the NDC during the upcoming elections because they do not have any plans to better the lives of nurses.
He said President Mahama and the NDC do not respect nurses in the country that is why they (NDC) are promising to restore the nurses’ allowance barely four months before the country goes to the next polls.
Dr Asare bemoaned the increasing cost of school fees of trainee nurses in the country, mentioning that the health sector and nurses do not have any future under the NDC government.
He said since 2012, trainee nurses who undertook degree programmes in the various universities across the country have not been employed by the state after graduation, saying that the NPP would improve the health sector.
Dr Asare added that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) which is on the brink of collapsing currently would be revived if Nana Akufo-Addo becomes president.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Offinso South