Akwatia MP Bernard Bediako Baidoo stated that the Ghanaian government must clear a backlog of unposted nurses dating back to 2020 before implementing its automatic posting promise. Some nurses who completed their training in 2020 are still waiting for their first job posting. Baidoo explained this backlog is the reason the government has yet to begin the automatic posting system it promised newly trained nurses. He made these comments on UTV's Adekye Nsroma on September 22, 2026.
The backlog of unposted nurses was inherited by the current government, with some batches going back to 2020 and 2021. Baidoo emphasized that the government's immediate priority is to clear this outstanding backlog before extending automatic postings to more recent graduates, including the 2025 batch of trained nurses. President John Mahama had pledged to restore automatic postings for nursing students during his 2024 general election campaign.
According to Baidoo, President Mahama was reportedly not aware of the scale of the unposted nurses' backlog at the time the automatic posting promise was made. The MP stated that the plan is not to post the 2025 batch immediately but to first deal with the backlog left behind by the previous administration. After clearing the backlog, automatic posting would begin. This delay affects nursing graduates and their families, causing uncertainty over income and career progression.
The delay in automatic posting means that newly trained nurses from the 2025 batch will have to wait until the older backlog is cleared. Automatic posting refers to a system where health training school graduates are placed into jobs within the public health service without a separate application and waiting process. Baidoo also pointed to a similar problem in the teaching profession, with trained teachers remaining unposted from batches dating back to 2016.
Baidoo argued that the backlog of unposted teachers also needs to be cleared before any automatic posting arrangement can be extended to newer teacher trainees. He stated that the government intends to resolve the nurses' backlog and begin automatic postings within its four-year term. However, no specific date or schedule was provided for when the backlog will be cleared or when automatic posting for the 2025 batch will formally begin.
The exact number of unposted nurses remains unclear, as well as which government body is directly overseeing the clearance exercise. Baidoo's comments highlight the challenges facing the healthcare sector in Ghana, particularly in addressing the backlog of trained healthcare professionals. The situation underscores the need for effective planning and management of human resources in the healthcare sector.
The government's efforts to clear the backlog and implement automatic postings will be closely watched by nursing graduates and their families. The outcome will have implications for the healthcare sector and the broader economy. Key stakeholders will be monitoring progress to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to address the backlog and provide opportunities for newly trained nurses and teachers.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government must clear a backlog of unposted nurses dating back to 2020 before implementing its automatic posting promise.
- The backlog affects not only nurses but also teachers, with trained educators remaining unposted from batches dating back to 2016.
- The government aims to resolve the nurses' backlog and begin automatic postings within its four-year term.
