COVID-19 13th Address: Akufo-Addo Extends Incentives For Frontline Health Workers

President Akufo-Addo has extended incentives for frontline health workers for another three months; July, August and September.

If you may recall the President during his 5th address, announced that all frontline health workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic will be paid an additional 50 percent of their basic salary per month for four months; March, April, May, and June, adding the March allowance will be paid alongside April allowance.

Speaking today in his 13th address, President Akufo-Addo said: "I am happy to announce that I have decided to extend the incentive package for health workers by another three (3) months. This means that all health workers will pay no income taxes for the next three months, i.e. July, August and September. Again, all frontline health workers, as defined by the Ministry of Health, will continue to receive the additional allowance of fifty percent (50%) of their basic salary per month, i.e. for July, August and September".

According to him, "I know the implementation of this directive for the months of April, May and June has been fraught with some challenges, caused, mainly, by the protracted discussions over the definition of who qualifies as “frontline health workers” in this context. I have, however, been assured that they have now been resolved, and payments will be effected from the end of June. I should reiterate that the insurance package for health workers is still in place".

"Whilst we appreciate the efforts of our health workers, I continue to urge them to remain professional and compassionate. Every avoidable death, be it corona-related or not, is a tragedy" he added.