Parliamentary candidate for Adentan on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Akosua Manu, has taken a strong stance against the government’s controversial decision to recall retired nurses and midwives in response to the ongoing nationwide strike by members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).
During an interview on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily, Manu criticized the move as a short-sighted and disrespectful response to what she described as legitimate demands for improved conditions of service.
“This approach is dismissive of the very real frustrations of our nurses. These are professionals who’ve carried the healthcare system on their backs for years,” she argued. “To turn around and suggest retired nurses—many of whom have decried poor treatment and retirement conditions—should return, is embarrassing.”
A Healthcare System Under Strain
The strike, declared by the GRNMA on June 2, 2025, has significantly disrupted health services nationwide. The group rejected a government proposal to delay implementing improved conditions of service until 2026, insisting the offer falls short of what was previously agreed.
In response, the Ministry of Health appealed to retired professionals to temporarily fill the gap, a move that has triggered backlash from several quarters, including within the ruling party.
Despite an emergency meeting on June 9 between GRNMA leadership and government officials, no agreement was reached, deepening the impasse and worsening pressure on already overwhelmed health facilities.
Private Facilities Buckling, Patients Left in Limbo
Public hospitals have scaled down operations, offering only emergency services. Meanwhile, private health facilities are battling growing queues and limited capacity, leaving many Ghanaians without timely access to medical care.
Manu noted that the government should be focusing its energy on resolving the root causes of the strike, rather than looking for stopgap solutions that could further undermine morale in the profession.
“We owe it to our nurses—and to Ghanaians who rely on them—to honor our commitments. Patching over the crisis with retirees isn’t a solution. It’s a symptom of policy failure.”
Political Repercussions Loom
Manu’s remarks also underscore growing concern within political circles about the potential electoral fallout from the government’s handling of public sector negotiations, especially in an election year. Her candid critique adds to mounting pressure on the Health Ministry to return to the negotiation table with a more viable offer.
As the standoff continues, both public confidence in the healthcare system and the government’s reputation for honoring labor agreements remain on the line.
