Former President Mahama's promise of paying trainee nurses allowances has been met with mistrust, as a number of trainee nurses have rejected the former President's promise, which they describe as a "mere political bait." Mahama, as President between 2012 and 2016, cancelled allowances for nursing and teacher trainees, and when the then opposition NPP responded to growing calls by affected nursing and teacher trainees by promising to restore the allowances if elected, former President Mahama vowed not to restore it.
True to its promise, the Akufo-Addo government restored the nursing and teacher trainee allowances immediately it took office in 2017, and has continuously expressed its commitment to it, in spite of recent delays in disbursements.
As the 2024 elections campaign heats up, former President Mahama appears to have found new love for the allowances he cancelled and refused to restore as President, as he has been promising nurses he will pay their outstanding allowances. "I know all the challenges you are facing with your allowances and I am going to solve them when I come" Mahama told trainees at Ntotoroso Nursing and Midwifery Training College a few days ago.
However, Mahama appears to have lost the trust and confidence of trainee nurses, who have treated his new promise with a pinch of salt.