Mahama Fulfills Promise as Over 120,000 Nursing Trainees Receive Six-Month Allowance
Former President and NDC Flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has fulfilled a key campaign promise by facilitating the payment of six-month allowances to nursing trainees across Ghana. The disbursement, which began this week, has benefitted over 120,000 trainees in various nursing and midwifery training colleges nationwide.
The Ministry of Health confirmed the payment, stating that the initiative covers students enrolled in both public and private accredited health training institutions. The allowance—popularly referred to as “alawa”—was reinstated in line with Mahama’s pledge to address the growing financial burdens faced by trainee nurses.
In a brief statement, the Ministry disclosed that the payment covers arrears dating back six months and forms part of broader efforts to motivate health trainees and improve morale within the sector.
“This is not just a promise fulfilled, but a direct intervention to ease the hardships our future health workers are going through,” said Mahama in a Facebook post shortly after the news broke. “We are committed to prioritizing the welfare of our students and restoring dignity to the nursing profession.”
The payment has been met with widespread excitement and relief among nursing trainees, many of whom have been vocal about the financial challenges they face while in school. Several trainees expressed gratitude on social media, hailing Mahama as a leader who listens and delivers.
The Ghana Nurse-Midwife Trainees’ Association (GNMTA) has also welcomed the move, emphasizing that timely financial support is crucial for sustaining the quality of nursing education in Ghana.
Mahama first introduced the trainee allowances during his previous tenure but later transitioned to a student loan model—a decision that sparked nationwide debate. His latest move appears to reconcile that policy shift with public demand.
