Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has said it would be difficult for government to implement the new conditions of service demanded by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).
More than 128,000 nurses and midwives across Ghana on May 28, 2025 declared a nationwide strike action over government’s continued delay in implementing their new conditions of service which was agreed in 2024 under the Akufo-Addo government.
The GRNMA has resolved to only resume work if their new conditions of service is implemented.
Read also: GRNMA’s strike did not follow due process; we’re not in support – Registered Midwives’ Association
The Minister at a briefing on efforts made so far to address the ongoing strike by GRNMA said the demands by nurses and midwives have not been captured in the 2025 budget and will put government’s budget in disarray if implemented in its current state.
He said government is cautious of the serious economic consequences of any unbudgeted expenditure and wants to avoid the economic slippages that caused hardships in the recent past.
“We wish to draw attention to the fact that the conditions of service under reference are not captured in the 2025 budget and will completely throw the economy off-gear if implemented immediately in the manner it currently exists,” he said on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
The Minister noted that upon assuming office, on behalf of government, he has engaged with the GRNMA several times on alternatives to explore the best possible avenue to approve and implement the new Conditions of Service.
He stressed that government is ready to further engage nurses with the view to implement the Conditions of Service in a manner that does not dislocate the national budget.
Mintah Akandoh noted that government is committed to continue to engage with the nurses and midwives in order to achieve a mutually acceptable outcome in the interest of the public.
He further announced a raft of measures that government will implement in the meantime while it negotiates with nurses and midwives for a resolution of the ongoing strike action.
“The Ministry will in the next few hours publish a comprehensive list of facilities to complement facilities where nursing services are lacking and where patients can seek healthcare,” he announced.
The Minister also appealed to public-spirited, retired nurses and midwives to volunteer their services for a brief period pending the resolution of this impasse due to the urgency of the situation.
Government reiterated its commitment to dialogue with the GRNMA with the view to resolving this impasse for full nursing services to be restored.
Despite the National Labour Commission securing an injunction on the strike and ordering nurses and midwives to resume work, GRNMA’s strike continues to be in effect, biting hard as patients are left unattended.
