The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) is rejecting the government’s proposal to delay the implementation of their agreed-upon conditions of service until 2026.
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GRNMA insists the terms must take effect this year, stating that the government’s excuse, that the agreement was not included in the 2025 budget, is unacceptable.
According to the union, the Health Minister had assured them before the budget was presented that their concerns would be addressed. However, a meeting held on Monday, June 9, between the union and government representatives failed to reach any resolution.
At a joint press conference held on Tuesday, June 10, at the Jubilee House, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said that fulfilling the nurses’ demands in 2025 would severely disrupt the national budget.
He appealed to the striking nurses to return to the negotiating table, warning that their continued industrial action is putting lives at risk.
To manage the impact, the minister announced plans to:
- Release a list of alternative health facilities for public use.
- Engage retired nurses and midwives to temporarily fill staffing gaps.
But speaking on JoyNews, GRNMA General Secretary David Tekorang reiterated the union’s position. He made it clear that the association is willing to discuss how the implementation will roll out, not whether it should happen. “If you’re deferring the entire payment of the conditions of service until 2026, what is that supposed to be? It is unfair,” Tekorang stressed.
He added that the government had ample time to factor their agreement into the 2025 budget, especially given that several meetings were held with the Health Minister ahead of the budget presentation.
Background to the Dispute
The conditions of the service agreement was finalized in May 2024, with implementation originally scheduled for July 2024. However, a splinter group challenged it in court, claiming the agreement was inadequate and done without their input.
The court matter was resolved in January 2025, during the transition to the new administration. Despite this resolution, the government has yet to fulfill the terms.
On June 3, 2025, GRNMA and allied health associations declared a nationwide strike after months of failed negotiations. Their demands include:
- Improved allowances
- Risk benefits
- Rural posting support
The union accuses the government of reneging on its commitments amid worsening inflation and stagnant wages.
Public hospitals and clinics are currently operating with minimal staff. While emergency cases are being prioritized, many patients have reported long delays or canceled treatments.
Despite calls for continued dialogue, the Ministries of Health and Finance have not presented a revised budget plan that accommodates the nurses’ demands.
For GRNMA, the strike will not end until clear, actionable commitments are made by the government.
