The National Association of Registered Midwives, Ghana (NARM-GH), has strongly criticised the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) for unilaterally declaring a strike without broader union consensus, alleging threats and silencing tactics against dissenting leaders.
NARM-GH, together with three other unions—Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives Ghana, Professional Association of Psychiatric Nurses Ghana, and the Ghana Registered Midwives Association—has formally distanced itself from the planned industrial action slated for 2 June 2025.
At the heart of the controversy is the Ministry of Health’s alleged delay in implementing a Collective Agreement signed with the GRNMA over a year ago. However, NARM-GH argues that a collaborative path was already in motion, including a scheduled meeting with the Minister of Finance on 18 June, which they believe should have been the next step before any drastic action.
Leticia Asaaba Atiah, President of NARM-GH, told Asaase News that union leaders who opposed the strike faced intimidation and were threatened with removal from GRNMA’s leadership communication platforms.
“The only message we received from GRNMA leadership was essentially a warning: stay silent if you won’t support the strike—or risk being deleted,” Atiah revealed. “That attitude excluded and disrespected other union leaders.”
She expressed frustration over what she described as GRNMA’s lack of transparency and disregard for consensus-building, insisting that the other unions were blindsided by the announcement.
“We were aligned in dialogue with the Health Ministry and looking forward to engaging the Finance Minister,” she said. “So to wake up to a press conference announcing a strike felt like a betrayal.”
The rift highlights growing discontent within the healthcare labour front, with calls for stronger coordination and respect for union autonomy amid shared goals for improved working conditions.
