Parliament commends nurses and midwives for suspending nationwide strike
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has commended members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) for suspending their nationwide strike, which began on June 2, 2025.
Mr. Ayariga who is also the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central acknowledged the critical role nurses and midwives play in Ghana’s healthcare delivery system and expressed appreciation for their decision to return to work while negotiations continue.
He also confirmed that government representatives and GRNMA leaders will meet again on Thursday, June 26 to resume negotiations over their conditions of service.
Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, Chairperson of Parliament’s Health Committee, joined in praising the health professionals, describing their action as a sign of good faith in the negotiation process.
The commendations follow a high-level meeting on June 12, 2025, between the Health Committee of Parliament and GRNMA executives at Parliament House.
The nearly four-hour meeting sought to resolve the impasse over the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in May 2024, which was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2024.
During the meeting, the GRNMA agreed to consult with its Council before deciding on the next steps.
Present at the talks were Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, and officials from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and Ministry of Finance.
The nurses and midwives initiated the strike to demand:
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Payment of 13 months’ outstanding allowances
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Arrears on fuel and rural posting allowances
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Full implementation of the terms in the 2024 CBA
Government officials, however, cited budgetary constraints and proposed deferring implementation to 2026—a position the GRNMA rejected, leading to the strike.
The industrial action severely disrupted public healthcare services nationwide, with many facilities forced to scale down operations or shut entirely, worsening patient care across the country.