CAGD to pay Gov’t teacher, nursing trainees allowances – Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama says teacher and nursing trainees’ allowances will now be paid through the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) to ensure timely and regular disbursement.
He disclosed this while speaking at a durbar at the Jubilee Park in Tamale on Saturday as part of his Thank You Tour of the Northern Region.
His Excellency John Dramani Mahama during his speech assured trainee students that this new payment method would eliminate the frequent delays in receiving their stipends.
“By this, the allowances would be paid regularly to the students just like how the CAGD pays salaries to government workers,” the President stated at the event.
The new teacher and nursing trainees’ allowances payment method comes after Finance Minister, Dr Casiel Ato Forson announced a total amount of GH¢684 million allocated for the payment of both teacher and nursing trainee allowances.
Speaking during the presentation of the 2025 Budget on March 11, Dr Forson explained that the funding is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to investing in the country’s education and healthcare sectors, ensuring that future teachers and healthcare trainees are adequately supported during their training.
“We have allocated GH¢203 million for the payment of teacher trainee allowances and another GH¢480 million for nursing trainee allowances,” Dr Forson confirmed.
The GH¢203 million earmarked for teacher trainee allowances will benefit thousands of students enrolled in teacher training colleges across the country.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) under the previous John Mahama administration cancelled the allowance for trainees, which was subsequently reinstated by the NPP administration under Nana Akufo-Addo.
In a related development, the National Health Students’ Association of Ghana (NAHSAG) has commended President John Dramani Mahama for the recent initiative to streamline the payment of allowances for nursing and teacher trainees across Ghana.
In a March 23 statement issued by NAHSAG, it expressed profound gratitude to the President for integrating trainee allowances into the general payroll system, a move the President said is expected to eliminate delays and ensure timely disbursement of funds.
NAHSAG stressed that the initiative’s implementation is expected to enhance the financial stability of trainees, allowing them to focus more on their academic and practical training without undue financial stress.
“This development is a significant milestone for NAHSAG, as it has addressed a long-standing issue of our members. The financial stability of nursing trainees would be enhanced, enabling them to focus more on their studies and practical training.
Once again, NAHSAG expresses its heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, the President and the Government of Ghana for taking this proactive step in prioritizing the welfare of health students and teacher trainees and NAHSAG looks forward to continued support in addressing the needs of healthcare students and professionals in Ghana,” it stated.
The National Health Students’ Association of Ghana (NAHSAG) acknowledged the central government’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of nursing and teacher trainees.
The association emphasized that this decision would significantly benefit health students and the broader healthcare sector, ensuring that student nurses receive the financial support necessary for their professional development.
NAHSAG also expressed optimism about further collaboration between the National Health Students’ Association of Ghana (NAHSAG) and relevant government agencies to address the needs of healthcare students and professionals in Ghana.
