Minority to Government: Drop Legal Battles, Sit with Striking Nurses and Midwives Now
End the Standoff: Minority Calls for Dialogue, Not Division, with Striking Nurses and Midwives
- The Minority urges the government to engage in constructive dialogue with striking nurses
- They believe the nurses' Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) demands are reasonable
- While the government cites economic instability if demands are met immediately
The Minority in Parliament is calling on the government to shift its stance and adopt a more collaborative approach in resolving the ongoing strike by nurses and midwives. Instead of resorting to legal measures, they urge genuine dialogue and engagement.
During a press conference held in Accra on Tuesday, June 10, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Health Committee, criticized the government for neglecting talks with the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) since January.
He pointed out that the demands laid out in their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) are reasonable and warranted.
Dr. Afriyie detailed how the industrial action had progressed in phases—from symbolic red bands to disruptions in outpatient and inpatient services—ultimately resulting in a full-blown strike. He attributed the escalation to the government’s dismissive attitude.
“All the demands in Appendix B of the CBA are valid,” he stated. “But since January, the government has failed to meet with them. This lack of engagement makes the GRNMA feel their rights are being sidelined.”
Rather than engaging the union meaningfully, the National Labour Commission (NLC) opted to take legal action, a move the Minority slammed as counterproductive and disrespectful.
“You cannot weaponize the law to silence a union acting within its rights,” Dr. Afriyie warned. He called for immediate negotiations that show respect for healthcare professionals while working toward practical solutions.
“We’re asking government to change its approach—respect them, meet them, be honest about what can and cannot be done.”
In response, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh acknowledged the legitimacy of the nurses’ and midwives’ demands but cautioned against implementing them hastily. He argued that the proposed conditions of service were not accounted for in the 2025 budget and could destabilize the economy if introduced immediately.
“The government remains open to discussions but must ensure that implementation aligns with fiscal realities,” he noted. “We cannot afford unbudgeted expenditures that risk pushing the economy into further crisis.”
