By Valentia Tetteh
The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, has criticised the NDC government’s handling of the ongoing nationwide strike by nurses and midwives, describing the healthcare professionals’ demands as “entirely justified.”
Addressing the media in Parliament on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Dr. Afriyie said the government’s perceived lack of engagement had only worsened the situation.
“The expectations in the CBA, Collective Bargaining Agreement, call for urgency, are justified, and not far-fetched,” Dr. Afriyie stated. “Their patience has simply run out due to government inaction.”
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) declared a nationwide strike on Tuesday, June 4, citing delays in the implementation of their 2024 Collective Agreement. The agreement outlines key issues including remuneration, working conditions, and allowances critical to healthcare delivery.
As a result, essential health services across more than 300 public hospitals and clinics in all 16 regions have ground to a halt. Thousands of patients have been left stranded, emergency units are operating with skeletal staff, and scheduled surgeries have been indefinitely postponed.
Dr. Afriyie defended the legitimacy of the nurses’ and midwives’ concerns, questioning which parts of the CBA could be considered unreasonable.
“Which part of the CBA is not legitimate?” he asked. “is it a 30-month allowance that was already agreed upon under the previous administration, a rural incentive allowance to attract workers to deprived communities, and fuel and uniform allowances that have existed since the 1960s.”
We in the Minority don’t believe the nurses are at any fault, it is their right, they are seeking their rights. We are here to plead with the Nurses to understand that, even if the Government sees the need to engage them, they should go with the good fate of Ghanaians at heart.”
He further stated, “We are not asking them to prolong the strike, but only to be merciful. When they go to the negotiation table, they must be willing to be reasonable.”
“Government must change its attitude towards these professionals and not attempt to frighten them.”
