File photo of nurses protesting
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has yet to end its nationwide strike after a failed emergency meeting with the Ministry of Health on Monday, June 9.
The government’s attempt to delay the introduction of the nurses’ conditions of service until 2026 is the root of the impasse; the GRNMA has flatly rejected this offer.
GRNMA Vice President Samuel Alagkora Akologo told reporters that he was disappointed by the closed-door meeting and that government officials blamed the delay on financial limitations.
“We were told there was no budget provision for our demands. These conditions of service were submitted in January, and we expected them to be factored into this year’s budget,” he said.
According to Mr. Akologo, the plan to postpone implementation was an effort to avoid paying arrears and reset the terms of the service calendar.
“They wanted to set the conditions of the service calendar so that it will be like we have just renegotiated, so that the idea of arrears will not come in. This is not fair,” he added.
It is anticipated that the National Council of the GRNMA will examine the government’s proposal and determine the next course of action.
KA
