The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has rejected suggestions that the union’s demands are excessive, insisting they are reasonable and financially manageable.
On Tuesday, June 10, the General Secretary of GRNMA, David Tekorang, urged the government to act swiftly rather than defer action to the 2026 budget, as proposed by the Deputy Finance Minister.
“Our demands are not over the top, they are well within what the government can accommodate, if the Deputy Finance Minister has done the math, he will see that our request won’t derail the economy,” he stated.
Mr. Tekorang’s comments follow the government’s call for patience, with assurances that the union’s demands would be considered in the next fiscal cycle.
But the GRNMA has pushed back, arguing that delayed implementation would only deepen the crisis in Ghana’s already strained health sector.
The nurses and midwives are demanding improvements in their conditions of service, including allowances, risk benefits, and support for postings to rural areas.
The union warns that any further delay could lead to heightened unrest in the health system.
Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem has appealed to the striking nurses and midwives to resume negotiations, while Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has called for calm, reiterating the government’s commitment to continued dialogue.
The current agreement on conditions of service was signed in May 2024 and scheduled for implementation in July 2024.
However, a splinter group within the union filed an injunction, claiming the agreement was inadequate and that they had not been consulted.
The court process concluded in January 2025, amid the transition to a new administration.
Following the court’s resolution, GRNMA says it held several meetings with government officials, including early engagements with the Health Minister, where they received assurances that the agreement would be factored into the national budget.
Despite those assurances, no allocation was made.
The ongoing strike, which began on June 3, was declared after months of stalled negotiations between the GRNMA and the government over the implementation of improved service conditions.
The union accuses the government of reneging on commitments and failing to respond adequately to rising inflation and a growing cost of living, all while salaries remain stagnant.
Since the strike began, public hospitals and clinics across Ghana have been severely affected, with most operating on minimal staff.