Gov't to release over GHC2m to pay irate doctors

The Controller and Accountant General's Department is to release over two million cedis to settle the salary arrears of 91 aggrieved junior doctors.

The doctors, who are from different teaching hospitals across the country, are expected to receive their salaries on Wednesday, July 29.

Initially, government and the Controller and Accountant General had agreed to settle 64 doctors out of the 91 while the remaining 27 will be paid later in August.

Again, government proposed that out of the 27 doctors to be paid in August, 17 will be paid in the early part of August.

But the junior doctors have rejected that offer.

According to TV3's Labor Correspondent, the doctors angered and encouraged by the fact that their colleagues at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, KATH, who protested were paid their monies not long ago.

Later, the Minister of Employment and Labor Relations Haruna Iddrisu, intervened and assured that all the 91 doctors will be paid on Wednesday after a meeting with all stakeholders.

Leadership of the doctors agreed to the proposal by the sector minister.

The latest payment deadline was influenced by an action on Monday where doctors picketed at the offices of the Controller and Accountant Generals Department to present their requirements for payment of their eleven months salaries.

Over fifty police officers were deployed to control the disgruntled doctors.