The standoff between the government and striking nurses and midwives continues to deepen, with mounting criticism over the state’s perceived failure to prioritise dialogue and good-faith negotiation in resolving the crisis.
In a strongly worded statement at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, June 10, the Minority in Parliament blamed the current impasse on government inaction and poor engagement strategies. Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee, accused the government of ignoring repeated overtures by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) since the start of the year.
According to Dr. Afriyie, the strike was not abrupt but the result of a structured protest roadmap laid out by health workers — beginning with symbolic red bands, followed by the gradual withdrawal of outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) services, before culminating in the current total strike.
“All their actions were signaled well in advance. Their demands are clearly stipulated in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and frankly, they are not unreasonable. Yet the government chose silence,” Dr. Afriyie lamented.
The Minority condemned the National Labour Commission’s (NLC) legal action against the striking nurses, calling it an “extreme act of bad faith” that reflects a government unwilling to engage in genuine consultation.
“You cannot suppress rights with lawfare,” Dr. Afriyie said. “These are health professionals who carried the nation on their backs during the pandemic. They deserve respect and honest conversation, not courtroom battles.”
The nurses and midwives are demanding improved conditions of service as captured in their collective agreement, including allowances and benefits they say are critical to their welfare and professional sustainability.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has defended the government’s cautious approach, warning that acceding to the full list of demands in the current economic climate would be fiscally reckless.
Speaking at a separate press conference, Akandoh maintained that while the government remains open to continued engagement, the proposed benefits were not accounted for in the 2025 budget and would cause significant economic disruption if implemented immediately.
“We acknowledge their concerns, but we must be realistic. These demands, if fully implemented now, would destabilise the economy and reverse our recovery efforts,” he stated.
Akandoh urged the GRNMA to consider the broader implications of their requests and work with the government to find a phased and sustainable solution.
As tensions rise, the health of patients across the country hangs in the balance. Many outpatient and inpatient services have been crippled by the strike, with reports emerging of delayed treatments and mounting pressure on the already strained healthcare system.
Stakeholders, including civil society organisations and patient advocacy groups, are calling for urgent mediation to prevent a full-blown healthcare crisis. The ball, however, remains in the government’s court, with critics insisting that respect, transparency, and accountability must guide any forward steps.
