Prof Khalid Urges Constructive Dialogue with Nurses, Promises Fulfilment in 2026 Budget
In the wake of growing labour unrest in Ghana’s healthcare sector, Professor Sharif Mahmud Khalid, Economic Advisor to the Vice President, has called for calm and constructive dialogue, urging nurses and midwives to defer their financial demands to allow room for national economic recovery.
Speaking during a current affairs programme on the Multimedia Network, Prof Khalid acknowledged the legitimacy of the grievances expressed by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), but emphasized that the Government was constrained by tight fiscal space and inherited financial commitments.
“We are not rejecting their demands,” he stated. “But just like any new administration inheriting obligations, we must negotiate timelines that reflect the realities of the current economy.”
The GRNMA recently suspended its nationwide strike after a high-level meeting with Parliament’s Select Committee on Health. The strike had crippled emergency and outpatient services across many public hospitals. The association, in a statement signed by President Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, urged members to return to work as of Saturday, June 14, assuring that negotiations for full implementation of their collective agreement were still ongoing.
Prof Khalid commended the leadership of GRNMA for choosing engagement over prolonged disruption, describing the move as a step toward restoring trust in public sector labour negotiations.
“There’s a clear difference between confrontation and constructive engagement,” he said. “While we may not meet all expectations immediately, we are committed to including these obligations in the 2026 Budget.”
He further compared the situation to personal financial restructuring, noting, “When individuals face hardship, they negotiate new repayment terms. As a country, we must do the same—manage expectations, honour commitments, and rebuild together.”
The Government’s appeal comes amid widespread concern about labour unrest and a weakening morale in the health sector. Analysts have warned that continued strikes may not only affect health outcomes but also erode public trust in national institutions.
Prof Khalid assured that government’s intentions are not in bad faith but based on the need for sustainable financial planning. He called on labour unions across sectors to maintain open channels of communication, pledging that “no demand will be discarded, but all must be properly timed.”
