*UPDATE: COURTESY VISIT BY THE NEW DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AT THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH TO THE MELPWU NATIONAL SECRETARIAT IN ACCRA* Distinguished Colleagues, We are pleased to inform you that the newly appointed Director of Human Resources at the Ministry of Health (MoH), Mr. Fred Mensah-Acheampong, paid a courtesy visit to the National Secretariat of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) on Tuesday, 20th May 2025. The purpose of the visit was to introduce himself, gain deeper insight into the challenges facing the health workforce, and build strong working relationships as part of his vision to promote inclusive and responsive HR policy formulation and implementation. As a union, we warmly welcomed the opportunity to engage with the Director and his team. We used the occasion to highlight key issues of concern to our members, including: * Delayed recruitment and financial clearance for graduates. * ⁠Career progression and scheme of service for the profession. * ⁠Misalignment in the market premium and grading structure for medical laboratory professionals. * ⁠Placement of MLSD graduates and Specialists. * ⁠Progress on the implementation of the Conditions of Service and facility-level allowances. * ⁠Establishment of directorates for underrepresented professions, especially the Directorate of Medical Laboratory Science. * ⁠Strengthening engagement between the HRHD, and the union. Significantly, MELPWU was the first stop on Mr. Acheampong’s familiarization tour - a gesture that underscores the growing recognition of the strategic role our union continues to play in shaping the health workforce agenda in Ghana. Mr. Acheampong was impressed with how far the union has come and expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and reiterated his commitment to fostering inclusive, transparent, and data-driven HR practices within the health sector. He emphasized the need for sustained collaboration with unions and professional bodies to address existing gaps and drive reform. MELPWU later hosted the executive leadership of the Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anaesthetists (GACRA) and the Health Accounting Staff Association of Ghana (HASAG) at the Secretariat. Together, we engaged in fruitful dialogue with the Director and reinforced the call for strengthened collaboration between HRHD and health worker associations. We remain optimistic that this visit marks the beginning of a more engaged and collaborative relationship between the HR Directorate and the broader health workforce. MELPWU looks forward to working closely with the HRHD to build a health system anchored on equity, motivation, fairness, and effective workforce management. Yours fraternally, *DR. CEPHAS KOFI AKORTOR* General Secretary, MELPWU Date: Friday 23rd May, 2025