The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Mr. Emmanuel Tibil Panzin, has issued a strong rebuttal to claims that the Association has political leanings, insisting that it remains an independent professional body solely focused on advancing the welfare of its members.
Addressing a gathering at the regional launch of this year’s International Nurses and Midwives Week celebration, Mr. Panzin stated emphatically that the GRNMA neither supports nor opposes any political party, and recent accusations stemming from its June industrial action were unfounded and misleading.
“We do not operate on a political agenda,” he asserted. “Our only loyalty is to the profession and the patients we serve.”
The event, themed “Nurses and Midwives, Our Future: Caring for Nurses and Midwives Strengthens Economies,” brought together nurses, midwives, educators, retirees, union representatives, and regional stakeholders across all 15 districts and municipalities in the Upper East Region.
Mr. Panzin used the platform not only to affirm the Association’s apolitical stance but also to draw attention to internal challenges within the profession. He expressed concern over the deepening divisions among nurses and midwives, which he said were being exploited by political actors to weaken union advocacy and derail efforts to improve working conditions.
He reminded attendees that nurses and midwives account for approximately 70 percent of the regional health workforce, making them a critical pillar in both healthcare delivery and economic stability.
“When we advocate for better conditions, it is not politics—it is about survival, dignity, and delivering quality healthcare,” Mr. Panzin explained. “Strengthening our workforce is a national investment, not a partisan issue.”
Also speaking at the event on behalf of the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Donatus Akamugri Atanga, a representative acknowledged the indispensable role played by nurses and midwives in the nation’s health sector.
“You are the backbone of our health system,” the Minister’s statement read. “But challenges such as poor infrastructure, limited logistics, and high workload have led to demoralisation and brain drain, undermining national healthcare efforts.”
Mr. Atanga called for systemic reforms and increased investment in the nursing and midwifery profession, noting that these are essential steps toward achieving better health outcomes and boosting national productivity.
The event marked not only a celebration of nursing and midwifery contributions but also a renewed call for unity, policy change, and recognition of the sector’s pivotal role in Ghana’s development trajectory.
