We’ll engage GMA on conditions of service for its members – Ofori-Atta

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has revealed that the government will meet with the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to deliberate on their demands regarding their conditions of service.

It will be recalled that the association, at its 65th annual general conference, demanded new conditions of service, including retiring on their full salary and a waiver on vehicles imported by doctors.

The president of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Frank Serebour, indicated that the association would take the next line of action if their demands were not met by January 1, 2024.

Presenting the 2024 budget statement in Parliament on Wednesday, the Finance Minister stated that the government will meet with the association to address their demands.

“Mr. Speaker, the Tripartite Committee has concluded negotiations on the National Daily Minimum Wage. The tax-free portion of the Individual Income Tax rates will accordingly be adjusted to take care of the change. Government recognizes the constraints our medical personnel face in providing healthcare for our citizens. With the passage of the Exemptions Act, the Government will engage the Ghana Medical Association on waivers for the importation of vehicles to ease the transportation burden of our doctors. This policy will enable them to deliver quality and timely healthcare”.

Aside from the health workers, the government has planned to combat unemployment among the youth through the YouStart initiative.

The Finance Minister says Ghana is expected to secure US$150 million from the World Bank to implement the YouStart initiative in 2024.

“Mr. Speaker, all is set to accelerate the implementation of YouStart in 2024. We are working with our partners, the World Bank, to secure financing worth US$ 150 million. On our own, we are committing GHS 200 million to ensure that more young persons are supported into entrepreneurship”.