Pro-New Patriotic Party pressure group, the Young Patriots, are demanding, with immediate effect, the resignation of the acting Chief Executive Officer of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for what the group says is his display of gross competence on the job.
A press statement issued by Richard Nyama, the convener of the group, insisted that Rev Albert O Botchway �must vacate his post with immediate effect, for gross dereliction of duty, incompetence and virtually selling out to the government instead of serving the interest of his staff especially the junior nurses who have been without pay for 21 months.�
�As a Pastor, one expects him to bring his negotiating skills to bear and ensure the poor suffering nurses had some relief; failing this he should have resigned his position long ago,� the Young Patriots charged.
In the opinion of the group, it is unacceptable for a man of God to use his position to pursue the interest of the government against the poor nurses.
�It was pathetic to hear the CEO justify the punishment the nurses have been through by simply equating it to the fact that every NEW GOVERNMENT has such challenges. This matter is not a new matter and the fact that it is two years old, goes to tell the lack of leadership at Korle-Bu,� the statement said.
The statement congratulated the Junior Nurses for standing up for their right and urged them to continue demonstrating until they receive their full entitlements.
�The government and the leadership of Korle-Bu understand only one language and that is REVOLT. Negotiating over 21 months yielded zilch whilst a day�s demonstration brought about a month�s salary,� the group added.
The Young Patriots advised the nurses to consider declaring 21 days of strike, and demonstration and in the next couple of days, to ensure that their entire entitlements are paid them.
�There is enough money to pay GYEEDA, LESDEP, and create another YOUTH FUND to for members and functionaries of the NDC and yet not enough to pay nurses,� the Young Patriots wondered.
The Young Patriots urged the leadership of junior nurses to evict the CEO from his office if he fails to resign or be sacked by the government as their grievances will never be attended to as long as he is in office.
The New Statesman reported in its October 1 edition that nurses and teachers newly recruited by the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service for a period spanning some 21 months had not been paid resulting in untold hardship for these workers.
On September 30, the nation witnessed a demonstration by junior nurses at the Korle-Bu teaching hospital who were angry at the refusal of the Mahama government to pay them for their continued services to the nation.
New Statesman investigations have revealed that the situation is not peculiar to nurses at the Korle-bu teaching hospital as newly recruited nurses across the country have also not been paid
A tearful nurse recounted their depressing situation: �Since January 2012�we have not even received a dime. We have to borrow to feed ourselves, borrow to transport ourselves and pay rent�We are not even asking for allowance, all we want is our salaries�.
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