The Ministry of Health (MoH) has strongly criticised the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) for what it describes as a strike action taken in bad faith.
According to the ministry, the association’s unilateral decision to lay down their tools over the delayed implementation of agreed conditions of service has brought significant hardship to the Ghanaian public and disrupted healthcare delivery nationwide.
Speaking to the media, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Mr. Tony Goodman, expressed disappointment over GRNMA’s approach, stating that the association abandoned ongoing negotiations with key state institutions, including the Ministry of Finance and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).
He emphasized that despite clear assurances from the sector minister to address their outstanding concerns, the association opted for industrial action without considering its repercussions on citizens relying on public health facilities.
According to Mr. Goodman, the Ministry had made consistent efforts to engage with all stakeholders within the health sector’s value chain and had urged the GRNMA to maintain dialogue.
He explained that while an agreement was indeed reached last year on the revised conditions of service, its implementation required further coordination and financial clearance processes that the Ministry of Health had already initiated.
“We were told that they had some outstanding issues with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Ministry of Finance. So what the Honourable Minister of Health did was to write to them to look at the issues/ they mentioned various issues, and he promised to lead them to the Ministry of Finance to have the issues resolved, and he is been doing that.
“Until they came again and served notice that they had gone to the Ministry of Finance to request a meeting, but unfortunately, they were given on the 18th June. We have appealed to their conscience, we have spoken to them. We have let them know that we are their advocate, and we are advocating for them, and we are still doing that. We in the Ministry of Health will continue to engage other stakeholders to make sure that their needs are met”.
Tony Goodman, PRO, Ministry of Health
According to him, the Labour Commission, upon reviewing the situation, declared the strike action unlawful and illegal, asserting that it was not grounded in law since the negotiations had already been concluded.
Mr. Goodman explained that the new administration had inherited the implementation challenges from their predecessors and was working assiduously to address them. However, GRNMA’s abrupt action seemed more motivated by other interests than genuine concern for the process.
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to resolving the matter through continued dialogue and reaffirmed the government’s willingness to meet most of the demands once the financial processes are cleared.
“So when you look at the issues, you juxtapose this whole thing with the good faith we have shown, you will realise that it is borne out of something we do not know. But we thought that this whole strike action was actually declared in bad faith, and we will continue to engage.”
Tony Goodman, PRO, Ministry of Health
Strike’s Impact
Commenting on the impact of the strike, Mr. Goodman bemoaned the current situation across public health facilities. He noted that many hospitals were deserted and non-operational, a scenario that could have dire consequences for patients in need of urgent medical attention.
“It’s biting Ghanaians. It’s biting our relatives. It’s biting everybody who goes to the hospital. That is not what we want,” he stressed. The Ministry had hoped to keep essential services running by protecting nurses who chose not to participate in the strike.
However, according to Mr. Goodman, GRNMA members allegedly stormed some of the health facilities and caused disturbances, prompting a recall of those nurses to avoid escalation and ensure safety within hospital premises.
Despite these challenges, the Ministry remains resolute in finding a way forward. Mr. Goodman disclosed that ministry officials would soon embark on a nationwide tour of health facilities to assess the full impact of the strike and compile data to inform their next course of action.
He also gave assurances that the government was working to meet at least the majority of the association’s demands, urging the nurses and midwives to return to their posts in the interim while discussions continued.
He concluded by appealing to the GRNMA to show compassion and prioritise the lives of Ghanaians, especially those in critical need of healthcare services. “We understand their sacrifices and appreciate their work. But this is a time to be humane. Let’s come back to the table and continue talking,” Mr. Goodman pleaded.
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