Ghana has in recent years suffered innumerable occurrences of strikes within various sectors and institutions and the ‘song’ of reason has been same – from conditions of services to unpaid salaries.

As government officials are on a monthly basis enjoying the sweat of their labor with salaries paid, along with some other allowances and perks which comes with the job, other public servants have to fight even harder and contend for monies they have labored for and rightly deserve by all means.

While there are quite a number of private hospitals in Accra, Kumasi and some bustling communities that patients can visit for treatment during moments they are unwell during periods of strike, many districts in Ghana are only privileged to have a district hospital serving quite a number of persons which is insufficient to cater to the demands.

For those who are not able to pay for the services of private hospitals due to financial constraints, they can only pray and wish their health do not deteriorate as they wait for public health facilities to resume, with services ultimately restored.

From the Universities Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU), Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG), among others, the growing list of key industry players which have threatened and actually carried out strikes are endless.

In the wake of recent developments concerning the disbursement of arrears owed to trainee nurses and midwives, the Ghana Nurse Midwife Trainees Association (GNMTA), the association has expressed mixed sentiments of gratitude and disappointment, pushing them to join the fray of striking sectors in the country.

Although the Association acknowledges the partial payment of two months’ worth of arrears, a gesture for which it extends gratitude to the Ministry of Health, the apparent shortfall in the disbursed amount has left them in a state of shock and disbelief, particularly in light of the commitment made during recent high-level discussions with prominent stakeholders, including the esteemed Minister of Health.

The disheartening prospects of failed assurances of financial clearance granted to the Controller and Accountant General, is only a fraction of the long-overdue two-years’ arrears, out of which seven months’ worth which was to be received, has been settled.

This disjunction between commitment and action is not only perplexing for these nurses and midwives but also raises concerns about the transparency and efficiency of the financial processes involved.

In response to this situation, the Ghana Nurse Midwife Trainees Association has deemed it necessary to issue an ultimatum to the Ministry of Health.

“By December 8, we insist that the remaining five months’ arrears be expeditiously settled. This ultimatum underscores the urgency of rectifying the apparent discrepancy and honoring the commitment made during our collaborative discussions.”
Ghana Nurse Midwife Trainees Association

Addressing issues of salaries and conditions of service

The seeming disparity when it comes to prompt payment of salaries to a certain group of public sector workers, while the rest are left to figure out their living expenses can only brew resentment, resignation and of course, the very attrition government is trying somehow to resolve.

Moreover, the habit of trying to appease workers who threaten strike with partial payments fall significantly short of meeting the financial expectations and obligations of these dedicated trainee nurses and midwives, in this particular case.

Truth is, even if all sectors of the economy are held as ‘financial hostages’ by the government, it cannot be extended to an essential sector like that of health.

Despite the Association extending overtures to engage in “constructive engagement and dialogue”, the stipulated deadline still holds and if government fails, they will be forced to explore alternative avenues to address the matter.

In effect, nurses and midwives, along with all sectors of the economy deserve fair treatment and equally expeditious resolution that upholds the integrity of the commitments made to members.

Also, the Ministry of Health must reflect upon the gravity of the situation and take decisive action to ensure the fulfilment of the outstanding arrears.

These workers are also bearing the brunt of the economic hardship which government has overtime, equally leveraged on to stall payment of salaries and arrears anytime issues of improved condition of service, increment in salaries are mentioned.

They all deserve better.