Some midwives across the country have warned the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) against the continuous ‘illegal deductions’ of their salaries to an unknown body, which they say they are not members of.
According to the over 3,500 midwives affected, the CAGD has since 2014 been deducting from their salaries GHC55.93 each into the account of National Association of Registered Midwives (NARM-Ghana) led by a retired midwife, Hajia R. Amoako Agyei.
They have described the deductions as illegal and unauthorised, and have consequently threatened to take legal action against the CAGD should it fail to cease the said deductions forthwith.
“…this illegal and unauthorised deductions had affected over 3,500 midwives across the country and we vow to take both legal and industrial action next month (June ending) if the deductions continue,” a statement to the media said.
They claimed efforts to get the CAGD to cease the deductions have not yielded results despite assurances from the Department.
“We strongly believe NARM-GH is using dubious means to perpetuate the illegal action by CAGD and we are cautioning them to redress before it is too late for them,” they warned.
Spokesperson for affected midwives, Faustina Asamoah, told 3News Monday that some of them have aside filling the ‘wrongful deduction’ form on the government of Ghana payroll portal, they have walked into the offices of the CAGD and were given assurances which never materialize.
She said the affected midwives last year lodged complaint with the CAGD but the said deductions are yet to be stopped.
Ms Asamoah said the NARM-Ghana is unknown to them, adding that they are not members of that association hence wondered the rationale behind the deductions of their salaries to such an association by the Controller without recourse to them.
The midwives say they suspect collusion on the part of the Controller in the said deductions, saying ” We are tempted to believe that CAGD has interest in this ongoing illegal and unauthorized deductions.
“It is very interesting to know that in the database of CAGD we are captured as members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) , but surprisingly our deductions go to a different group (NARM) which is very strange,” the midwives stated.
Ms Asamoah said, the affected members are demanding that the deductions are not only stopped but also, a refund of all deductions for NARM-Ghana in the last three years.
They consequently want their mother association, Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to intervene to avoid break in healthcare service delivery as they plan to demonstrate.
Meanwhile, new midwives have been advised against filling any NARM-Ghana form or give giving out their electronic pay slip password to NARM Ghana executives.
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