Government has extended the incentive package meant for health workers to the month of September, thus an addition of three more months.
This was announced by President Akufo Addo in an address to the nation on the update of the coronavirus situation in Ghana.
The incentive package among other things is to boost the morale and appreciate the efforts of health workers as they continue to lead the fight against the spread of the coronavirus.
President Akufo Addo said “This is in part due to the immense dedication and hard work being exhibited by our health workers, who continue to care for those who are affected by the virus and for the sick in general. All frontline workers as defined by the Ministry of Health will continue to receive additional allowances of 50 % of the basic salary for the next three months, ie, July, August and September”, he said.
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On April 5, 2020, the president in his fifth televised address to the nation announced an incentive package for frontline health workers. The package included Insurance package, of GHS350, 000, allowance of 50% of their basic salary per month for a three-month period that was April, May and June. Also, health workers were exempted from the payment of tax on their employment emoluments for a three-month period commencing from April 2020.
“In recognition of their efforts, I announced during my fifth address to the nation, on Sunday 5th April, 2020, an incentive package to motivate and express appreciation to all health workers for the months of April, May and June. I am happy to announce that I have decided to extend the health package for health workers by another three months. This means that all health workers will pay no income taxes for the next three months ie. July, August and September”, he said.
The President recognized that the implementation of the package has been fraught with some challenges caused “mainly by the protracted discussions over the definition of who qualifies to be a frontline health worker in this context.” But he indicated that he has been assured that now it has been resolved and that payments would be effected from the end of June.
The country’s case count stands at 17,351 with 12,994 recoveries. The positive cases stand at 4,245 with 112 deaths.
Source: ATL FM NEWS
