A group of hygiene students and unposted graduates are currently picketing at the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, demanding immediate action to address their prolonged unemployment and the delayed disbursement of their two-year allowance, which has caused significant financial distress for many of them.
The protesters held placards with messages such as “Where is our allowance?” “You decide to celebrate toilets over me,” and “Dr. Bawumia, is it not possible to have justice for hygiene?”
Speaking to the media Jacob Addai, the Public Relations Officer of the Coalition representing the students, explained that discussions with key stakeholders had revealed that the delay in both postings and allowance payments was due to a lack of clearance from the Ministry of Finance.
According to Addai, the Ministry of Sanitation had not submitted the necessary documents to the Ministry of Finance for the disbursement of the allowances.
The Coalition further revealed that during meetings with the Ministry of Sanitation and the Environmental Health Officers and Assistants Association a group of unposted graduates it was confirmed that the Ministry of Finance had not received any official request or list from the Ministry of Sanitation to release the allowances.
The Coalition followed up on this issue with the Ministry of Finance on June 3 and July 25, but received no resolution or update, as no documentation had been provided.
Frustrated by the lack of response, the Coalition made another attempt to engage with the Ministry of Sanitation but was denied entry by security personnel, intensifying their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the matter.
Emmanuel Awuku Amewugah, General Secretary of the Coalition, emphasized that the total number of graduates from the 2021 to 2024 batches who are awaiting posting and allowance payments is fewer than 3,500 nationwide.
“We don’t understand why the government is finding it so difficult to employ such a small number of people,” he stated.
He also urged the authorities to take swift action and address the situation, as many graduates are struggling financially and professionally.
