The Union of Trainee Nurses and Midwives Ghana (UTNMG) has welcomed the government’s recent announcement to absorb 50% of tuition fees for trainee nurses for the 2025/2026 academic year, but is demanding further clarification and broader support for its members nationwide.

In a press statement released today, UTNMG described the intervention as “commendable,” but raised several concerns that remain unresolved. The union is seeking details on the total tuition fee amount before the 50% absorption, as well as the agreed fee structure between the government and principals of training institutions.

“Students and parents need this information to plan appropriately,” the statement read.

UTNMG also wants the government to clarify exactly how much trainee nurses will now be required to pay under the new arrangement.

The union further questioned whether continuing students, particularly those in levels 200 and 300, will benefit from the policy, emphasising that “equity demands that such relief measures are extended fairly to all trainee nurses.”

Another major concern highlighted by the union is the issue of feeding fees, which currently stand at GHS 1,800 per semester.

UTNMG described this as a “heavy burden” on parents and guardians, and called on the government to absorb part of these costs to ease financial challenges faced by students and their families.

The union also urged the government to grant financial clearance for the 2020 referral batch in the upcoming 2026 budget, noting that this group has waited too long for clarity on their placement.

On the proposed cancellation of the Nurse Assistant Preventive (NAP) and Nurse Assistant Clinical (NAC) programmes by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), UTNMG demanded an official government position, warning that “such a policy direction has significant implications for students and the profession, and cannot be left ambiguous.”

Additionally, UTNMG reminded the government that allowance arrears owed to the 2024 batch, who are currently undertaking national service, remain unpaid and called for immediate action to address this.

The union expressed frustration over its inability to secure a meeting with the Ministry of Health to discuss these issues, despite repeated attempts.

UTNMG renewed its call for the Ministry and all relevant authorities to engage in dialogue “in good faith for the collective interest of trainee nurses and midwives across the country.”

The statement was signed by the General Secretary of UTNMG.