UPNMG cushions members with loans, insurance

The logo of Ghana (UPNMG)

The Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UPNMG) has launched a loan scheme for its members.

The scheme  is to provide their members with not only easy access to loans but also to loans with relatively low interest rates.
Consequently the interest rate of UPNMG’s loan scheme is pegged at 11 per cent.

“Evidence available shows that majority of Nurses and Midwives in Ghana are burdened with loans from financial institutions with very high interest rates. This has left Nurses and Midwives in a bad financial situation. It is without doubt that the launch of our much-awaited loan policy at 11 per cent interest rate is a relief to Nurses and Midwives in Ghana”, according to a release issued by the union and signed by John Agbenyeavu which was signed by the Graphic online noted.

The loan scheme, according to the statement, complements the UPNMG’s hire purchase scheme which is regarded as the first ever hire purchase scheme for nurses and midwives in Ghana.

Through the hire purchase scheme, items worth over GHC100,000 have been sold to members of the union. The UPNMG has also successfully launched a Life Insurance Policy Scheme for its members.

Below is the full statement.

The essence of a labour union is to enhance the welfare of members regardless of the grade and cadre of those who subscribe to it. As stated in the Labour Act 2003, Act 651, section 79, a worker is at liberty to form or join any association of his/her choice for the
promotion and protection of the workers’ economic and social interest.

It is against this backdrop that the Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UPNMG) was formed. Despite the short existence of UPNMG within Ghana’s labour space, we have come up with life changing policies to better the lives of Nurses and Midwives in Ghana.

Evidence available shows that majority of Nurses and Midwives in Ghana are burdened with loans from financial institutions with very high interest rates. This has left Nurses and Midwives in a bad financial situation. It is without doubt that the launch of our much-awaited loan policy at 11 per cent interest rate is a relief to Nurses and Midwives in Ghana. This goes a long way to fulfill the purpose of our existence, thus to improve the financial situation of Nurses and Midwives in Ghana.

The loan scheme comes to complement our hire purchase scheme which has been touted as the first ever working hire purchase scheme for Nurses and Midwives in Ghana. This policy has since sold items worth over GHC100,000 to members across the length and breadth of this country.

The Union has also launched her life insurance policy for members at no extra charge to members. This policy is also worth over GHC100,000 since its inception, covering the member and his/her immediate relatives.

Every Nurse and Midwife in Ghana is encouraged to make a choice that will enhance their welfare because we join unions for our economic interests and not for the fun of it. The Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana is here to promote our welfare and believes that it is only when we treat ourselves better that others will also treat us well. We therefore encourage all Nurses and Midwives to come on board and join the Union which has a heart for enhanced benefits.