As the December 7 presidential election approaches, former President John Dramani Mahama has addressed trainee nurses, explaining why his previous administration withdrew their allowances. Speaking during his campaign tour, Mahama stated that the decision to replace the allowances with student loans was aimed at enabling the government to create more job opportunities for nurses after graduation.
Focus on Job Creation Over Allowances
Mahama emphasized that the primary concern for nursing students should be securing employment after completing their education. He criticized the current government’s promise to restore allowances, describing it as a failed promise that has left many students disappointed. Mahama recounted an instance where a trainee nurse confronted the current administration, stating that despite the promise, she had not received any allowances during her three years of training.
Mahama assured the nursing trainees that an NDC government under his leadership would prioritize job creation over allowances. He emphasized that the ultimate goal is to ensure that all trained nurses have employment opportunities once they finish school.
Commitment to Healthcare Infrastructure
In his address, Mahama also promised to continue and complete the construction of hospitals that were initiated during his previous administration but have since been abandoned. He highlighted the importance of expanding healthcare infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of nursing graduates, ensuring they have places to work once they complete their training.
Mahama pledged to resume work on the hospitals under the Agenda 111 initiative, a project aimed at building 111 new hospitals across the country. He assured the nursing trainees that these facilities would create additional job opportunities for them upon their graduation.
With the election date nearing, Mahama’s message to the nursing trainees is part of a broader campaign to regain their trust and support. He reiterated his commitment to creating an environment where healthcare workers, particularly nurses, can find employment immediately after completing their education. Mahama’s focus on job creation and healthcare infrastructure is central to his campaign, as he seeks to address the challenges faced by nursing students and the broader healthcare sector in Ghana.
Source: Graphic Online
