The leadership of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has underscored the urgent need for targeted housing initiatives to address the housing shortfall among public sector workers in the country.
Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum, the Association’s General Secretary (GS), emphasized this imperative during an interview with our source in Pusu-Namongo, Talensi District, Upper East Region. Dr. Tenkorang-Twum expressed the GRNMA’s concerns regarding the prevailing housing policy, advocating for tailored solutions to tackle the housing deficit.
While attending the inauguration of new Regional executives for the GRNMA, Dr. Tenkorang-Twum proposed a targeted housing approach, suggesting the construction of housing units specifically designated for various professional groups. For example, he recommended the allocation of 10,000 units for nurses and midwives, 5,000 units for doctors, and 20,000 units for teachers. This approach, he argued, would prioritize the housing needs of essential service providers.
Drawing attention to existing affordable housing schemes for military personnel, police officers, and judges, Dr. Tenkorang-Twum urged for similar opportunities to be extended to other professional bodies. He stressed the effectiveness of targeted housing initiatives as a viable solution to the housing crisis and called upon policymakers to prioritize this approach.
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Furthermore, Dr. Tenkorang-Twum highlighted the importance of decentralizing housing projects across regions and districts to ensure equitable access for all professionals. He proposed a sustainable funding model whereby rental income from these housing units could be reinvested to finance additional housing projects, thereby addressing the needs of future generations.
Addressing welfare concerns, Dr. Tenkorang-Twum called for salary adjustments to reflect current economic realities, advocating for the revision of market premiums to align with recent salary increments. He emphasized the critical role of the GRNMA in negotiating improved conditions of service for its members and urged nurses and midwives to join the association to benefit from its welfare programs and advocacy efforts.
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Highlighting the strength of unity within the GRNMA, Dr. Tenkorang-Twum emphasized the importance of collective action in advancing the interests of nurses and midwives. He urged members to unite under the umbrella of the GRNMA, emphasizing the association’s longstanding history, accountability mechanisms, and comprehensive welfare support for its members.
In conclusion, Dr. Tenkorang-Twum underscored the significance of targeted housing projects and collective advocacy efforts in addressing the housing and welfare needs of nurses, midwives, and other public sector workers in Ghana.
