Accra, March, 19, GNA - Dr. George Sipa Yankey, Minister of Health has told the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) that the migration of health workers onto the single spine structure was not yet finalised. He said the document being used by the GMA as a base that they have been moved onto the new structure was just a draft document prepared by the Fair Wages Commission and had not been approved by government yet. He noted that, it was an exercise involving the entire workforce of the country and not only the health workers and urged GMA to exercise restraint.

Dr Yankey who cleared the air when he met the executives of GMA in Accra on Thursday said some anomalies had been detected in the draft document in respect of their relativities between the salary of doctors and other health workers and steps were being taken to rectify them. "The Commission is still in the process of finalising the new salary structure and would eventually invite the human resource managers of the ministries, departments and agencies for their comments before submitting it for approval".

He noted that the Human Resource Unit of the Ministry had been instructed to study the draft report and prepare comments to be discussed with the Commission. He explained that a lot had gone into defining the job content of each professional grouping in the health sector and "what we need now is to build this unto the single spine salary structure". He urged all concernd to be patient and address concerns through the approved channels. Dr Yankey also gave the assurance that the 2008 salary review would be revisited to ensure the payment of promoted doctors who had not received their new salaries yet. Dr Emmanuel Adom Winful, President of GMA expressed concern about the unhealthy relationship between the Ministry and GMA and expressed the association's gladness that efforts were being made to address the concerns of the association.