Kwabena Frimpong, the Deputy Protocol Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has publicly urged President John Dramani Mahama to fulfill his campaign promise of ensuring automatic postings for trained health professionals throughout Ghana. This appeal was made during Frimpong’s keynote address at the 2025 Federation of Ghana Medical Laboratory Science Students’ Associations (FG-MELSA) Handing Over Retreat, held at the Ministry of Health Conference Room. The retreat, themed “Transitioning with Purpose: Building on Success, Empowering New Leadership for Excellence & Ensuring Continuity & Progress,” aimed to facilitate a smooth transition of leadership within the student organization. Frimpong’s address centered on the critical importance of continuity and transformative leadership within organizations and the nation, particularly emphasizing the crucial role of immediate action on the president’s promise to address the posting backlog of healthcare professionals.
Frimpong underscored the significance of leadership extending beyond simply holding a position. He emphasized that effective leadership is characterized by vision, discipline, empathy, and resilience, urging the incoming FG-MELSA leaders to embody these qualities as they assume their new roles. He encouraged them to maintain focus and a strong sense of purpose in their leadership endeavors to effectively advocate for the needs of their members and the betterment of Ghana’s health sector. This advice was framed within the broader context of the retreat’s theme, highlighting the importance of a smooth and productive transition of leadership for the continued success of FG-MELSA.
Shifting his focus from organizational leadership to national policy, Frimpong directly addressed President Mahama’s campaign pledge to ensure the prompt posting of qualified nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals. He framed this commitment not just as a political obligation but as a crucial step towards rebuilding trust and restoring hope within the health sector. He argued that fulfilling this promise would signal the government’s commitment to supporting healthcare professionals and strengthening the nation’s healthcare system. This appeal for action highlighted the potential positive impact of the postings on the morale of healthcare workers and the overall quality of healthcare delivery in Ghana.
Frimpong expressed deep concern over the increasing number of unemployed trained health professionals. He highlighted the paradox of these individuals being ready and willing to serve, yet remaining unemployed due to what he characterized as government inaction. He emphasized the lost potential and the negative impact on the lives of these qualified professionals who are unable to contribute their skills and knowledge to the nation’s healthcare system. This concern underscored the urgency of the situation and the need for swift government intervention to address the growing backlog of unemployed healthcare professionals.
Drawing a comparison to past administrations, Frimpong commended former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for clearing a backlog of health workers who had been trained between 2012 and 2016 but had remained unposted for years. He presented this as a positive example for the current administration to follow, urging President Mahama to emulate this proactive approach and prioritize the immediate absorption of qualified professionals into the public health system. He argued that this action would not only reduce unemployment but also significantly benefit the healthcare sector and the nation as a whole.
Frimpong concluded his address by expressing gratitude to FG-MELSA for the opportunity to engage with future leaders in the healthcare sector and extended his best wishes to the newly inducted executives. He invoked divine blessings upon the organization, the youth, and the nation, signaling a hopeful outlook for the future of healthcare in Ghana. The retreat ended with a renewed commitment from participants to promote responsible student leadership and to advocate for sustainable reforms within the health sector, reflecting a positive and proactive stance towards addressing the challenges facing the nation’s healthcare system. The emphasis on continuity and transformative leadership, combined with the direct appeal to the president regarding healthcare professional postings, framed the event as a call to action for both the student leaders and the national government to prioritize the future of healthcare in Ghana.
