Laboratory professionals petition chief of staff over recruitment discrimination

The Medical Laboratory Professional Workers Union (MELPWU) has petitioned Chief of Staff Julius Debrah. They claim there is systemic recruitment discrimination against medical laboratory and allied health professionals.

In a strong petition signed by General Secretary Dr. Cephas Kofi Akortor, the union expresses concern. The government has not granted financial clearance for about 3,000 qualified graduates since 2019. This situation leaves many unemployed despite their qualifications.

Public health facilities hire these graduates on a casual basis. They pay them using internally generated funds. However, this arrangement lacks job security and benefits.

Despite ongoing appeals, no financial clearance has been issued in six years. Other health professional groups, like nurses and doctors, continue to benefit from recruitment drives.

On May 13, 2025, the Ministry of Health announced recruitment for medical and dental officers. However, medical laboratory officers were again excluded from this process. The union argues that this marginalization undermines their critical role in healthcare.

MELPWU states that medical laboratory professionals are the largest group working under Internally Generated Funds (IGF). Their conditions are insecure and poorly paid without job security or pensions.

The petition also notes that after a nationwide strike in June 2024, the government promised action. They committed to processing financial clearance for 19,351 allied health professionals but have taken no concrete steps since then.

This silence frustrates members and leaves many qualified professionals unemployed. The union warns of creating overworked and underpaid health workers whose contributions go unrecognized.

Efforts to engage with key stakeholders have not produced results. They have yet to receive a response to their letter sent on April 7, 2025.

The union demands two actions from the government: immediate financial clearance for qualified professionals and a clear recruitment roadmap ensuring equity in employment opportunities across all health sectors.

They warn that failure to meet these demands may lead to industrial action. "We demand fairness, equity, and justice," the petition concludes.