Unemployed Allied Health Professionals Demand Urgent Recruitment and Fair Treatment
The Coalition of Unemployed Allied Health Professionals Association of Ghana has expressed deep frustration over the government’s prolonged failure to recruit thousands of qualified health professionals—many of whom have remained jobless since 2019.
With over 30,000 trained professionals still awaiting placement, the coalition is calling for immediate nationwide recruitment, clear timelines, and the implementation of a national policy to prevent recurring delays in postings. Affected professionals include medical laboratory scientists, radiographers, physiotherapists, and nutritionists—all critical to Ghana’s healthcare delivery system.
“It is unacceptable that highly trained professionals are sitting idle at home while hospitals face staff shortages,” the group stated in a press release.
They emphasized that the continued neglect of allied health professionals undermines the nation’s public health system, placing unnecessary strain on already overburdened workers and compromising patient care.
License Renewal Amid Unemployment Adds to Burden
A key concern raised by the coalition is the annual renewal of professional licenses, which unemployed members must pay for out-of-pocket despite having no income. This, they said, adds to their emotional, psychological, and financial distress.
“We are expected to maintain professional credentials with no support, no income, and no indication of when we will be posted,” one member lamented.
Systemic Inequity in Postings
The coalition also criticized the inconsistent and discriminatory nature of the recruitment process. While some healthcare professionals are automatically posted after internships, allied health professionals often face long waits with no communication or support.
“We are not asking for favors. We are demanding fairness and recognition. Allied health professionals are being ignored, sidelined, and treated as second-class citizens in the health sector,” the coalition stated.
A Call for Action
The group is urging the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and all relevant stakeholders to prioritize the recruitment of allied health professionals. They also advocate for the establishment of a predictable, transparent recruitment framework to avoid similar backlogs in the future.
As Ghana continues to grapple with healthcare system gaps, the coalition warns that failure to act will not only deepen unemployment but also threaten national health outcomes.
“We are ready to serve our country,” they concluded. “But we cannot serve if we continue to be ignored.”
