Nurses, Midwives to strike June 9 over delayed conditions

Over 128,000 nurses and midwives in Ghana are threatening to strike by June 9, 2025, due to delays in implementing their agreed conditions of service.

At a press briefing in Accra on May 28, the President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Perpetual Ofori Ampofo, voiced strong disappointment with the government.

She explained that the collective agreement was signed over a year ago between GRNMA and the government, represented by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.

However, despite a court ruling in January 2025 that cleared legal obstacles, the agreement remains unimplemented. Madam Ofori Ampofo said GRNMA has followed up with letters and in-person visits, but there has been no response.

She warned that the delay undermines the profession and jeopardizes healthcare delivery across the country. “We are the backbone of Ghana’s health system,” she stressed. “We’ve remained committed to patient care despite numerous challenges. This level of disrespect is unacceptable.”

To press home their demands, the association has outlined a roadmap of industrial actions:

• June 2–3: Nurses and midwives will wear red armbands and headbands.
• June 4–8: They will withdraw all outpatient services.
• From June 9, they will completely withdraw services nationwide.

While the association remains open to dialogue, Madam Ofori Ampofo emphasized that their demand is firm: the immediate implementation of the signed agreement