In a determined move to enforce their industrial action roadmap, the leadership of the General Nurses Group (GNG), an affiliate of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), has announced the formation of nationwide taskforces to ensure full compliance across public health facilities.
This follows growing unrest among nurses and midwives over what they describe as the “overly delayed” implementation of a collective agreement signed with their employer in May 2024. Despite persistent engagements with the Ministries of Health and Finance, the agreement remains unimplemented—a situation the GRNMA says is undermining both healthcare professionals and service delivery in the country.
The GRNMA’s roadmap outlines a three-phase industrial action: red armbands worn from June 2 to 3, withdrawal of Out-Patient Department (OPD) services from June 4 to 8, and a complete withdrawal of services starting June 9 if demands remain unmet.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Madam Kate Mensah-Botchwey, National Secretary of the GNG, explained that the taskforces would be operational at national, regional, and facility levels to ensure nurses adhere strictly to the outlined strike schedule.
“These teams will visit all public health facilities to monitor compliance and report directly to GRNMA leadership,” she said. “The pressure from our members is enormous. Many are frustrated by administrative delays, especially regarding their Professional Identification Numbers (PINs), which are still inactive—a violation of the agreement.”
She noted that although some members are eager to begin the industrial action immediately, the leadership is insisting on following the structured roadmap. The red-band protest phase will begin Monday, June 2.
In response to the escalating tensions, the Ministry of Health extended an invitation to the GRNMA leadership on May 28, 2025, for discussions. However, the association maintained its position, stating that the roadmap would proceed unless the Ministry of Finance approves the agreement.
The planned strike has garnered support from multiple GRNMA affiliates, including the Paediatric Nurses Society–Ghana, the Ear, Nose and Throat Nurses Society–Ghana, the Enrolled Nurses Group, and the Nurse Practitioners Society of Ghana. All have issued solidarity messages backing the action.
With the deadline fast approaching and no concrete resolution in sight, Ghana’s health sector may be heading into a critical period of disruption unless urgent intervention occurs.
