The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has announced a phased strike action that could lead to a nationwide halt of nursing and midwifery services, citing government’s failure to implement agreed conditions of service.
Speaking at an emergency press conference held at the GRNMA National Secretariat in Accra on Wednesday, May 28, the President of GRNMA Perpetual Ofori Ampofo unveiled its official strike roadmap, warning that the action if not addressed urgently could significantly impact healthcare delivery, particularly as the country battles a growing outbreak of the MPox disease.
According to the roadmap, the strike action will commence with symbolic protests from 2nd to 3rd June 2025, during which members will wear red arm or headbands at work. This will escalate from 4th to 8th June 2025, with a complete withdrawal of all Outpatient Department (OPD) services, including public health services, antenatal care (ANC), and specialist clinic services.
The situation is set to culminate in a total withdrawal of all nursing and midwifery services nationwide starting 9th June 2025, if their demands remain unaddressed.
She explained that the industrial action stems from what it describes as persistent “government neglect and disregard” of its calls for the implementation of the 2024 conditions of service agreement for nurses and midwives.
Mrs. Ampofo stressed that the strike is a last resort to compel authorities to honour the agreement reached last year.
GRNMA called on government to intervene immediately to avert what it warns could be a total collapse of essential health services across the country.