NDC nurses and midwives cries for help

A key figure within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Pro-Forum for Nurses and Midwives, Akugri Gadafi Avokbil, has raised serious concerns about what he calls the neglect of hardworking health professionals who actively supported the party’s return to power in the 2024 general elections.

Avokbil, who is the Ashanti Regional Operations Director of the NDC Pro-Forum for Nurses and Midwives and also a constituency executive in Obuasi East, issued a strong statement on June 1, 2025, expressing disappointment over what he described as a lack of recognition and appointments for nurses and midwives who played key roles in the campaign that brought President John Dramani Mahama back into office.

“The failure to reward hardworking NDC nurses and midwives with appointments is currently dampening their morale. If not addressed, this situation could negatively affect their contributions in future elections,” he warned.

He explained that morale among the health professionals who aligned with the NDC has significantly declined, with many feeling overlooked after the victory they helped secure. According to him, this neglect, if not corrected, could weaken the enthusiasm of these professionals in future political campaigns and national assignments.

Avokbil recalled that the NDC Nurses’ Professional Forum was officially launched on March 8, 2024, in Techiman. He noted that the event was supported by senior party figures like Professor Danso Boafo, and the initiative was largely funded and managed by the members themselves. He described how forum members worked beyond their clinical duties to support the party, organizing free health screening programmes for communities, serving as polling station agents, and acting as collation officers during the elections.

Despite all this, Avokbil said very few nurses—fewer than five across the entire country—have been given appointments in the current NDC administration. This, he argued, is unfair, considering that nurses and midwives make up about 70% of Ghana’s total health workforce.

He also strongly criticized the recent appointment of a medical doctor, Dr. Thomas Anaba, as the Chairman of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Avokbil argued that this role should have gone to a qualified nurse or midwife, preferably someone who is not only professionally suitable but also loyal to the NDC.

“Is the government saying that not a single qualified NDC nurse was available to chair the NMC, so they decided to appoint my brother and friend, Dr. Thomas Anaba, who is not a nurse? I beg to differ,” he stated.

He pointed out that nurses and midwives within the Pro-Forum did more than just offer medical support during the campaign. They played a political role by pushing back against what they saw as misinformation by the then New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, especially regarding nurse postings and allowances. Avokbil recalled how, as a former Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Nurses and Midwives Trainees Association (GNMTA), he publicly took on government officials like Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, then the Minister of Health, when he made claims at the Teshie Nursing Training College that were seen as misleading.

“We used our voices, articles, and social media platforms to protect JM’s image and expose the propaganda in the days leading up to the elections,” he noted.

According to Avokbil, the contributions of these nurses and midwives went far beyond their call of duty, and the party must now do the right thing by rewarding their efforts. He emphasized that appointments and public recognition are important—not just for morale, but also for the health of the party’s grassroots support.

He concluded with an appeal to the party leadership and those responsible for appointments to take immediate steps to correct what he sees as an unfair and avoidable situation.

“The NDC must not forget the sacrifices made by its health professionals. Recognition and representation matter—especially when loyalty has been demonstrated through action,” he concluded.

His comments have sparked conversations within party circles and on social media, with many NDC supporters echoing similar sentiments. Others, however, have urged patience, saying appointments take time and require balancing many competing interests.

Nevertheless, Avokbil’s concerns have highlighted a deeper issue in Ghanaian politics—how political parties reward loyalty, especially from professionals who contribute quietly but significantly behind the scenes. Whether the NDC leadership will respond to this call remains to be seen, but for now, the health professionals who rallied behind the party are watching closely.