The Health Committee of Parliament is set to meet with leaders of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) today, Thursday, June 12, in a bid to resolve the ongoing strike that has disrupted healthcare services nationwide.
The GRNMA declared industrial action earlier this week, citing delays in the implementation of their 2024 Collective Agreement. The agreement addresses critical issues, including unpaid allowances and delayed postings of its members.
The government, however, has proposed pushing the implementation to 2026, arguing that the financial implications were not factored into the 2025 national budget. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh expressed concern over the economic strain the agreement could impose if implemented immediately.
“We understand the frustrations of the GRNMA, but implementing the agreement now could destabilize the economy,” Akandoh stated, emphasizing the need for a phased approach.
The GRNMA has rejected the government’s position, maintaining that nurses and midwives should not be made to suffer due to fiscal constraints. “Our members are overworked and underpaid. We cannot wait until 2026 for what is rightfully ours.”
The strike has left many hospitals struggling to provide adequate care, with patients bearing the brunt of the standoff.
