The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) is adamantly advocating for doctors to receive their entire salary upon retirement, arguing that this is a legitimate and appropriate request.
GMA President Frank Serebour made this call very clear at the Association’s 65th General Meeting, which took place on Monday, November 13, 2023.
In light of the enormous sacrifices doctors make in their roles—which involve not only their professional expertise but also their physical and mental well-being—President Serebour underlined the necessity for doctors’ pensions to be secure.
He declared, “Our pensions must be secure after we have sacrificed our bodies, minds, and souls in our service.”
The GMA President emphasized the significance of giving doctors sufficient logistics and fostering an environment that supports their physical and mental well-being in addition to retirement benefits.
Dr. Serebour contended that, given the commitment and hardships faced by healthcare workers, retirement on a full salary is a justifiable and necessary demand.
The GMA also demanded the prompt reinstatement of the vehicle importation tax waiver for healthcare professionals, highlighting the positive effects that these benefits have on the health of those working in the industry.
Deputy Finance Minister Abena Osei Asare gave the medical community assurances during the meeting regarding the progress of the discussions and said the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission would meet shortly to begin the operationalization of new conditions of service.
In closing, President Serebour issued a warning, saying that the GMA would demand that the terms agreed upon be fully implemented, starting in January 2024, and that any delays in addressing these concerns would not be tolerated.
The Association stresses that their reward is both here on Earth and in heaven, and they implore the appropriate authorities to give these important issues affecting Ghanaian healthcare professionals immediate attention.
