The Ministry of Health has expressed its surprise and disappointment at the decision by the leadership of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to declare a series of industrial actions.
According to the GRNMA, the planned strikes follow what it describes as the government’s failure to implement the Collective Agreement it signed with the association nearly a year ago.
Ministry disputes GRNMA’s claims
The Ministry, however, appears taken aback by this turn of events, especially given the numerous engagements the sector Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has had with the association’s leadership to address their concerns.
In a statement, the Ministry reminded the GRNMA that it was under President John Mahama’s first term that the first-ever Conditions of Service (CoS) for health workers were introduced and implemented in 2015.
The Ministry further clarified that although the reviewed conditions of service were supposed to take effect last year under the previous administration, the process was delayed.
However, the ministry emphasised that at their last meeting with the GRNMA, it was agreed that a committee comprising representatives from the GRNMA, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Health would be constituted to advance the process toward full implementation.
Ministry criticises strike as risk to patient safety
The Ministry strongly criticized the GRNMA’s decision to resort to industrial action, arguing that using the lives of patients as leverage in negotiations is not the right approach.
In their words, “this is not the appropriate course of action.”
They urged the leadership of the GRNMA to reciprocate the Ministry’s goodwill and remain committed to dialogue for the benefit of Ghana’s healthcare sector.
In a related development, several other health workers’ associations have distanced themselves from the GRNMA’s planned industrial action and criticized the association’s unilateral decision.
The dissenting groups include the Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UPNMG); the Professional Association of Psychiatric Nurses, Ghana (PAPNG); the National Association of Registered Midwives, Ghana (NARM-GH); and the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA).
In a joint statement, the associations explained that during a joint meeting of all nursing and midwifery unions held on Tuesday, May 27, it was unanimously agreed that no industrial action would be taken until further consultations had been held with each union’s leadership and membership.
The purpose of these consultations, they said, was to review the proposed roadmap for implementing the Collective Agreement regarding Conditions of Service.
Furthermore, they noted that a scheduled engagement with the Minister of Finance, which is crucial to advancing discussions on the Collective Agreement, is yet to take place.
The unions expressed deep concern over GRNMA’s intention to proceed with industrial action on June 2, 2025, calling it a direct contradiction to the collective resolution reached at the meeting.
“Such action undermines the professional cooperation and unity the sector urgently needs,” the statement read.
Call for calm and continued service delivery
As a result, the unions unequivocally declared that they are not part of the planned industrial action announced by the GRNMA.
They urged all their members to remain at post and continue delivering essential health services.
They also reiterated their commitment to constructive engagement with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, to ensure a timely and coordinated implementation of the Collective Agreement.
