The Ministry of Health has appealed to the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to reconsider its decision to embark on a nationwide strike, citing ongoing discussions and the potential risk it poses to healthcare delivery.
In a statement released on Wednesday, May 28, the Ministry expressed deep concern over GRNMA’s announcement at a recent press conference, where the association called on its members to begin a series of industrial actions over delays in the implementation of their revised Conditions of Service.
While acknowledging that the revised terms were initially set to be enforced in 2024 under the previous administration, the Ministry admitted that implementation has been delayed.
However, it highlighted that efforts are ongoing, including the formation of a joint committee with representatives from the GRNMA, the Health Ministry, and the Finance Ministry to accelerate the process.
The Ministry also recalled a landmark achievement in 2015 during former President John Dramani Mahama’s tenure, when structured Conditions of Service for health workers were first introduced.
It affirmed that the current administration remains committed to building on this foundation to enhance the welfare of nurses and healthcare professionals.
Nonetheless, the Ministry criticized the use of strike action, warning against leveraging patient care as a bargaining tool.
“The lives of patients should not be used as a means of pressuring for the enforcement of a collective agreement,” the statement read.
The Ministry concluded by urging the GRNMA to resume dialogue in the interest of public health, stressing the importance of collaboration over confrontation for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
