Mahama confirms nursing trainee allowance payments to begin in January 2025

President John Dramani Mahama has assured nursing trainees that the government will begin paying their allowances starting January 2025, with arrears included. The announcement was made during his Thank You Tour in the Bono East Region on May 29, where he addressed students at the Kintampo Nursing Training College.

The decision marks a reversal from the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) earlier position during the campaign, which opposed the restoration of trainee allowances. However, in March 2025, the government signaled a change of stance in its first fiscal policy statement.

“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,” President Mahama said. He further explained the delay: “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. So that every month when workers receive their salaries, trainees will also receive their allowances.”

He added, “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.”

Beyond the allowance payments, President Mahama addressed broader economic and infrastructure issues. He thanked transport unions for reducing fares, crediting the recent appreciation of the cedi. “I want to take the opportunity to thank the GPRTU and the various drivers’ unions for reducing transport fares to bring relief to Ghanaians from the hardship they were facing,” he said.

The President also highlighted plans to industrialize agriculture in the region, especially adding value to cashew and other crops, and provided updates on infrastructure. “As stated in the NDC 2024 manifesto, we’re also committed to redesigning and constructing outer ring roads in major cities,” he said. For Techiman, work has already begun on a proposed 54-kilometer outer ring road.

He stressed accountability for local government heads, stating: “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.”