Accra: Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health, has cautioned that the immediate implementation of conditions of service for nurses and midwives could significantly destabilise the national economy. He assured that the Government remains committed to engaging with health personnel to ensure the implementation of their conditions of service in a manner that does not disrupt the national budget.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Akandoh stated that the conditions of service and the reference are not accounted for in the 2025 budget, and their immediate implementation would have severe economic repercussions. Speaking at a press conference in Accra, he addressed the strike action initiated by the Ghana Registered Nurses’ and Midwives’ Association (GRNMA), which is demanding the implementation of the 2024 Collective Agreement and other benefits.
The GRNMA has called for unpaid allowances, a 13th-month salary, fuel and medical allowance, rural incentive allowance, renewal of practising licenses, and the provision of uniforms. Mr. Akandoh highlighted the serious economic consequences of unbudgeted expenditures and the need to avoid past financial slippages that have led to economic hardship.
To mitigate the impact of the strike on patients, Mr. Akandoh outlined several measures, including publishing a list of healthcare facilities offering nursing services and encouraging retired nurses and midwives to volunteer temporarily. He also appreciated the nurses who remained at their posts and urged others to prioritize patient care.
Despite efforts by various associations to resolve the situation, the GRNMA declared a strike on June 2, 2025, and failed to attend an emergency meeting called by the National Labour Commission (NLC) on June 5, 2025. Consequently, the NLC took legal steps to declare the strike illegal and urged the GRNMA to end it immediately.
The Fair Wages and Salary Commission held another meeting on June 9, 2025, with the GRNMA, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Health to discuss implementing the new conditions of service. The Commission reiterated its directive for the GRNMA to call off the strike to facilitate negotiations.
Mr. Akandoh reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to engaging with nurses and midwives to reach a mutually acceptable outcome. Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, emphasized the economic challenges of the GRNMA’s demands, noting that accommodating these would add over two billion cedis to the compensation budget.
Mr. Ampem stressed the need to maintain a 1.5 per cent primary balance surplus annually to achieve sustainable debt levels. He appealed for continued dialogue, urging nurses and midwives to engage with the Government to find a balanced solution for all parties involved.