GRNMA rejects GH¢3000 verification fee increment by NMC, calls on Parliament to intervene

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has rejected the new license verification fee approved by Parliament and implemented by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

In a statement dated March 11, the association stated that the new fee is over 400 percent higher than the old fee.

“Before March 8, 2024, the amount a nurse or midwife had to pay for this service was GH¢550. It is therefore highly unacceptable to have this fee increased to GH¢3000, which is a 445% increment from the previous amount,” the statement reads in parts.

It further noted that “if the huge increment in the verification fee is an attempt to curtail the emigration of nurses and midwives, then we find it unfortunate.”

The Association underscored the importance of the government introducing policies that ensure that nurses and midwives in Ghana are given better conditions of service compared to their counterparts in other jurisdictions instead of making their lives rather unbearable.

“Migration is the right of every worker, and as a nation, we must avert our minds to the reasons why these professionals are emigrating to high-income countries rather than institute policies that make the life of the worker more unbearable.”

“The Parliament of Ghana, as a matter of urgency and consideration for the plight of Ghanaian nurses and midwives, should look into this matter and revert to the old fees. If indeed any such increment must happen, we wish to humbly inform Parliament that we, the nurses and midwives of Ghana, can accommodate a maximum of a 25% increment.

“All nurses and midwives are advised not to pay the new verification fee of GHC3,000 and are further advised to hold themselves in readiness for any action that the leadership will deem fit if this matter is not resolved amicably,” it concluded.