The government has scheduled July 10, 2025, as the new date for preliminary negotiations with the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) following heightened tensions over delayed implementation of agreed welfare benefits.
This development comes after an earlier meeting slated for June 26 failed to take place due to the unavailability of some key government stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.
The rescheduling signals a crucial moment in ongoing negotiations, after the GRNMA suspended its nationwide strike on June 13, warning of a potential resumption if government showed signs of non-compliance.
At the heart of the impasse is the government’s delay in implementing aspects of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in May 2024, which was due to take effect on July 1, 2024. The agreement outlines a range of non-basic benefits, including 8% non-basic allowances, uniform, fuel, research, and book allowances, which nurses and midwives argue are vital to their professional sustainability.
After weeks of mounting pressure from the union and the fallout from the industrial action—which saw hospitals understaffed and critical health services disrupted—the government has now converted the nurses’ demands into monetary terms to assess financial implications ahead of the July meeting.
Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, Chair of Parliament’s Health Committee, acknowledged the delay but reaffirmed Parliament’s support for improved working conditions for healthcare workers.
“We remain committed to ensuring that nurses and midwives receive the respect and recognition they deserve. Parliament will continue to push for solutions that prioritise the welfare of our frontline health professionals,” Dr. Nawaane told the Parliamentary Press Corps in Accra.
The previous stakeholder meeting, held on June 12, included top officials such as Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, and representatives from key ministries and agencies. They had agreed to reconvene within two weeks to allow the government time to assess the financial impact of GRNMA’s proposals.
The suspended strike—which began on June 2—paralysed public healthcare delivery across the country, leaving many patients unattended and amplifying public outcry. Though the GRNMA temporarily called off the action, union leaders made it clear that patience is running thin.
As the July 10 date approaches, all eyes are on whether the government will meet the expectations of the nursing and midwifery community—or risk a renewed crisis in Ghana’s healthcare sector.
