The government will start paying nursing trainee allowances retroactively from January 2025. Although the National Democratic Congress (NDC) campaigned strongly against the payment of these allowances, the government reversed its stance when it presented its first fiscal policy document in March 2025. During a Thank You Tour in the Bono East Region on May 29, President John Dramani Mahama reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises.
Even as he was welcomed to the Kintampo Nursing Training College by students and their reminder of allowances, the President gave them hope. “Let me assure you that the minister has made adequate provision in the budget for the payment of allowances. And the allowances will be paid from January, and so you’ll get the arrears. When we pay the allowances, you’ll receive the arrears. But what has delayed it, what has delayed it, is that the minister is putting in a system so that you’ll be paid through the Controller and Accountant-General,” he announced.
He explained that, “So that every month when workers receive their salaries, trainees will also receive their allowances. So, when that is done, you’ll receive your allowances every month, and they will pay you the arrears from January until the time you started receiving the allowances.” With the gains and the cedi’s appreciation, the President showed gratitude, urging more as the push continues.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the GPRTU and the various drivers’ unions for reducing transport fares, which will provide relief to Ghanaians facing hardship. As an agrarian region, with a government focus on industrializing produce, the President emphasized that adding value to cashew and other tree crops remains a priority. He highlighted the rapid development of the “big push” initiative aimed at opening up the region.
“As stated in the NDC 2024 manifesto, we’re also committed to redesigning and constructing outer ring roads in major cities across the country. The outer ring roads will target cities like Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi, Sunyani, and Techiman. For Techiman, which is a major transit point on the N10 highway, work has begun to open up the proposed 54-kilometer outer ring road,” the President hinted.
He added that, “The Department of Urban Roads has initiated engineering surveys and design works to prepare the way for full construction to begin.” The President did not mince words on holding the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) strictly to their Key Performance Indica tors (KPIs).
“The Minister of Finance is about to release the first quarter of the District Assembly’s Common Fund. And as I said, and the Minister said, 80% of the money accruing in the fund is going to go directly to the regions for you to decide how to use it. So MMDCs, you have no excuse. You’re going to get your full money. We’re sending you the guidelines. The cabinet approved it at the last cabinet meeting to show you how the money has to be disbursed,” he stated.
According to President Mahama, “we’re going to use it as your Key Performance Indicators. Every year we will see what you’ve done with the District Assembly’s Common Fund and based on that we’ll decide whether you stay or you go.”
By: Komla Klutse
