Over 600 junior nurses at the Korle Bu Hospital marched through streets of the hospital to protest non-payment of salaries and allowances for 21 months. The nurses who wore red arm bands say they are not returning to work until management pays their full salaries and withstanding allowances.

According to them, several dialogues with management to address their concerns have not been successful.

“They don’t know when they are going to get money to pay us, so as at now we are agitated and frustrated, we want them to come to an understanding with us and sign a memorandum of understanding as to when they are going to pay us and the time lines but [management] is being hesitant],” one of the protesters said.

Speaking to Joy News on condition of anonymity, she was certain patients will definitely suffer without their services.

“We are tired and fed up of working without our 21-month salary...we provide general nursing services, we care for patients, we care for people, we do all sorts of work in Korle Bu. In fact the junior staff do most of the work in Korle Bu than the senior staff.”

Another noted that she and her other colleagues are suffering, citing the rising cost of living in Ghana.

“If you are not in right frame of mind, what can of service do you think we can offer to our patients?”

She said they have exhausted all avenues they can resort to for assistance including the Minister of Health, president of Ghana Registered Nursing Association, Office of the President, National Labour Commission, all to no avail; but today we are tired about them being silent about our situation”.