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At first glance, the title “Nurses at War?” may conjure images of nurses in military gear, marching to defend the nation, or perhaps locked in physical confrontation, throwing syringes and ampoules at one another. While nursing indeed has historical ties to wartime service, this piece is not about literal combat. Rather, it explores a different kind of war: the silent but dangerous division within Ghana’s nursing unions. As leadership battles, conflicting loyalties, and politicized agendas seep into the professional space, nurses risk losing the very unity needed to protect their collective interests. This internal conflict, fueled by misinformation, rivalry, and lack of coordinated advocacy, is threatening to unravel the progress made in Ghana’s healthcare sector. The time has come to ask: who truly benefits from a divided nursing front?
The Ghanaian nursing profession, long seen as a unified and dependable pillar of healthcare delivery, is gradually becoming fragmented, divided by union rivalries, personal interests, and internal politics. What should be a collective force fighting for the welfare and future of nurses has turned into a battleground for supremacy, competing egos, and disjointed efforts. While professional associations and unions are vital for progress, their unchecked division can weaken the very cause they were created to protect.
How Did We Get Here?
The emergence of multiple nursing unions such as GRNMA (the long-standing holder of the Collective Bargaining Certificate), UPNMG, NARM-G, and other associations including groups of rotation nurses did not happen in a vacuum. It arose out of valid concerns: dissatisfaction with representation, delays in benefit disbursements, limited inclusivity in decision-making, and uneven welfare schemes.
But over time, the response to these challenges has shifted from demanding accountability and change from within to creating parallel unions. Instead of reforming leadership by standing for office and influencing policy from inside, many chose to break away entirely. This has led to unnecessary competition, sometimes focused solely on who holds the CBC, rather than on how all nurses can collectively win better working conditions, fair wages, and respect.
It is important to ask: what good is holding a CBC if the people you claim to represent are not united behind your cause?
When the Cause Turns Personal
Sometimes, causes that begin with genuine intentions slowly become led by disappointment, bitterness, or personal ambition. A call for fairness can evolve into a personal campaign. What starts as an advocacy effort for “the people” becomes a mission to prove a point, settle scores, or build personal prestige. When that happens, the original purpose is lost.
Instead of focusing on collective progress, energy is wasted on making one union or its leaders look bad. There are public spats, smear campaigns, and back-and-forth exchanges that bring nothing but shame to the profession. Internal arguments take precedence over constructive dialogue. Nurses begin to shame each other publicly, forgetting that their strength lies in solidarity.
This is not leadership. It is not activism. It is the very thing that divides and weakens a profession.
The Cost of Division
A fragmented nursing front leads to weakened bargaining power, confusion among members, and a loss of credibility before policymakers and the public. When nurses fight among themselves, politicians and external forces are given the room to manipulate, divide, and ignore their concerns. A divided voice is an easy one to silence.
Furthermore, nurses who focus only on what they can get from a union such as loans, insurance, or land schemes without paying attention to the broader mission risk turning unions into service providers, not advocacy bodies. The true power of unions lies in their ability to influence national policy, shape working conditions, and lead the transformation of the healthcare sector.
We must also consider the optics. The public, other professionals, and decision-makers observe how nurses carry themselves. Disunity does not inspire confidence. Instead, it sends the message that nurses cannot manage their own affairs, a perception that can be used to sideline the profession in national discussions.
Lessons from Other Professions
Nurses can learn from the mistakes of other professions in Ghana that fractured into several unions and fought publicly, such as teachers, transport operators, and even some security services. Many of these groups eventually realized, after years of rivalry and setbacks, that they needed to stand together to truly win the fight for better conditions.
Unity does not mean there will never be disagreements, but it means those disagreements are handled internally, maturely, and constructively. When each group tries to build their own kingdom, everyone loses.
The Way Forward: Reform Through Leadership, Not Rivalry
If you want to correct a wrong in the nursing profession, rise through the ranks. Stand for a position. Campaign with a clear agenda. Earn the trust of your colleagues and change the system from within. Division is not the path to reform. It is a detour that leads to confusion, stagnation, and collapse.
Nurses must return to the principles of dialogue, shared vision, and collective action. Union leaders must embrace transparency, and members must prioritize unity over personal benefit. Collaborations between unions should be encouraged on key national issues. No single union can win this fight alone.
Conclusion
The future of nursing in Ghana cannot be built on fragmented voices and rival factions. The profession is too important to be undermined by internal politics, vendettas, and ego-driven campaigns. Nurses must look beyond CBCs, land schemes, and personal scores and remember their core mandate, which is to care, to advocate, and to lead change in healthcare.
Unity does not erase our differences. It channels them into strength. And for nurses, now more than ever, unity is not an option. It is the only way forward.
As knowledge workers, nurses must begin to verify information for themselves and not rely solely on emotionally charged narratives. Misinformation thrives in divided spaces. A profession rooted in science must also be driven by research and truth. Embracing continuous education, critical thinking, and peer-reviewed evidence will help nurses make informed choices about leadership, unions, and representation.
Leaders of UPNMG, GRNMA, NARM-G, and other associations must stop fueling division and inciting hate. The future of nursing depends on their maturity, diplomacy, and willingness to put collective interests above personal or organizational pride. The goal must be the protection and advancement of all nurses, not just their own members.
The time to heal, unify, and rise as one profession is now. Anything else is a disservice to the calling and to the lives nurses are entrusted to protect.
By: Bright Kwaku Banitsi
