The government of Ghana has made an urgent appeal to retired nurses and midwives to volunteer their services temporarily in response to the ongoing nationwide strike by members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).
Addressing journalists at the Presidency in Accra on Monday, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said the Ministry is working tirelessly to resolve the impasse but must also act swiftly to alleviate the hardship patients are facing.
“We are asking retired, public-spirited nurses and midwives to step in for a brief period while we work through the challenges at hand,” Mr. Akandoh stated.
He added that in the coming hours, the Ministry will publish a list of healthcare facilities where nursing services are needed most, so that the public can be redirected accordingly.
Mr. Akandoh commended nurses and midwives who have defied the strike to remain at post and care for patients.
“We deeply appreciate those who continue to serve the nation and urge others to show the same compassion as we work to resolve this matter,” he said.
The conditions of service dispute
The GRNMA strike, which commenced on June 2, stems from disagreements over the implementation of a new Conditions of Service agreement signed in May 2024.
The terms were originally slated for implementation in July 2024.
Upon assuming office, Mr. Akandoh said he had engaged GRNMA leadership on several occasions to find a feasible approach to implementing the new agreement.
Despite these efforts, the Association proceeded with the industrial action, rejecting a proposed roadmap and disregarding a caution from the National Labour Commission (NLC).
“The strike was declared even though discussions were ongoing. This has left patients vulnerable, and we cannot afford to prolong their suffering,” the Minister lamented.
NLC declares strike illegal
According to Mr. Akandoh, the NLC convened an emergency meeting on June 5 to bring all parties together, but the GRNMA declined to attend.
As a result, the Commission has taken legal steps to declare the strike unlawful and called on the union to call it off immediately.
In line with that directive, Mr. Akandoh said the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has resumed talks with the GRNMA, along with the Ministry of Finance, to develop a comprehensive implementation roadmap.
Implementation not budgeted for in 2025
Despite the government’s willingness to engage in good faith, Mr. Akandoh emphasised that the current version of the Conditions of Service is not reflected in the 2025 national budget. “Immediate implementation, as proposed, would severely destabilise the economy,” he warned.
Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem echoed this concern, stating that fully adopting the new conditions could add more than GH₵2 billion to the government’s compensation bill.
“We must be mindful of our economic targets, including maintaining a 1.5 per cent primary balance surplus annually to sustain debt reduction efforts,” Mr. Ampem explained. He called on GRNMA to consider a phased, negotiated settlement that aligns with fiscal realities.
Presidential Spokesman and Minister of State for Government Communications, Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, assured the striking nurses that the government remains open to continued dialogue. “We are committed to achieving an amicable resolution. The door remains open for constructive engagement,” he said.
Both Mr. Akandoh and Mr. Ampem appealed to the GRNMA leadership to reconsider their position and return to the negotiating table.
They urged members to have confidence in the government’s willingness to ensure fair compensation while safeguarding national economic stability.
