The nationwide strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has entered a critical phase, with hospitals struggling to cope as government efforts to resolve the impasse remain unsuccessful.
In an interview, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Health Committee, pointed fingers at the National Labour Commission (NLC)and the Ministry of Finance, accusing them of failing to act swiftly before the strike took effect.
“You have to blame the Labour Commission because the Act says that these are essential services; they don’t have to go on strike. Before they go on strike, they notified you, and you should’ve attended to their needs within 72 hours”.
He further explained that while the Ministry of Health had already approved the nurses’ conditions of service under the previous administration, the Ministry of Finance has failed to follow through on its commitments. He criticized the Finance Ministry for neglecting negotiations, leaving nurses frustrated for over six months.
Negotiations hit a deadlock following a failed meeting on June 9, 2025, where the government proposed postponement of the implementation of the nurses’ conditions of service until 2026 an offer the GRNMA firmly rejected.
Meanwhile, healthcare facilities across the country, including the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital, continue to experience severe staff shortages, with emergency and outpatient services heavily affected.
Despite a court injunction secured by the National Labour Commission, the nurses remain resolute in their demands, insisting that the government must honor agreements already reached.
