The Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana, has urged the Ghana Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to call off their ongoing strike and resume work, citing the impact on lives and the essential nature of their services.
The strike, driven by demands for improved conditions of service, has disrupted healthcare delivery across the country, prompting the MP to appeal for a return to negotiations.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Edem Agbana acknowledged the nurses’ legitimate grievances but emphasized the moral imperative to prioritize patient care.
He also called on the government, particularly the Ministry of Health, to act in good faith and expedite resolutions once the strike is called off.
The MP highlighted the new government’s five-month tenure, noting that inherited challenges require collaborative solutions rather than prolonged disputes.
“As a representative of the people, I will add my voice to all Ghanaians who are pleading with the nurses to rescind their decision and resume work, even as they return to the negotiation table. It is difficult. I understand them. I understand their challenges. I understand the difficulties that workers, not just nurses, endure in their conditions of service. We all want to see better conditions of service. In fact, even we parliamentarians, you know, we have always advocated for better conditions of service. So, if nurses, teachers, or any group of workers are asking for improved conditions of service, I think it is within their rights.
“But we want to plead with them—their job constitutes what we call essential services, and with their current strike action, lives have been affected. So, on moral grounds, we are pleading with them. I would like to plead with nurses and midwives across the country to resume work as we finalize issues regarding their conditions of service at the negotiation table. I also want to appeal to the government, especially the Ministry of Health and all stakeholders, that when the nurses act in good faith and call off the strike, we should also act in good faith and expedite action to resolve their challenges,” he stated.
The MP further proposed that unresolved demands could be addressed in the mid-year budget, urging both parties to avoid accusations and focus on dialogue. He suggested involving stakeholders like the Peace Council, Christian Council, House of Chiefs, and Council of State to facilitate negotiations.
“I always say that the door to negotiation is never shut. You can always find a window of opportunity. Yes, the budget has been approved, but there will be a mid-year budget. So, if we get to the table and agree that, indeed, demands a, b, c, and d can be met, and there is firm assurance that in the mid-year budget—there is firm commitment that in the mid-year budget—some of these things will be introduced, I believe, I have every reason to believe, that nurses will understand.
“… If Madam Perpetual is listening to me, I am pleading with her and her executives that we are begging them—drop your arsenals, return to the negotiation table, and let’s find common ground. If it means involving other stakeholders—Peace Council, Christian Council, or other key stakeholders, some chiefs, the House of Chiefs—if it means involving even some members of the Council of State, we are pleading with them,” he stated.
The MP appealed directly to GRNMA President Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo and her executives, emphasizing the value of human lives and the need to avoid prolonging the strike.
He expressed confidence that a common ground could be found through dialogue, urging nurses to return to healthcare facilities while negotiations continue.
GA
