The government is urging calm and constructive engagement with striking nurses and midwives, as officials warn that the full implementation of their proposed conditions of service could place significant strain on the national budget.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, stressed the government’s appreciation for the critical role nurses play in healthcare delivery, but explained that the country must also carefully manage its finances.
He noted that with over 120,000 nurses currently on government payroll, implementing the new terms in their entirety would cost the nation more than two billion cedis in additional wage obligations.
“The reality is that we have over 120,000 nurses, and the implementation of the current condition of service that they are demanding will have serious consequences for the budget,” Mr. Ampem said. “If we fully implement it, we are going to add in excess of two billion cedis to the compensation budget.”
He added that the government is committed to economic recovery and must work within its means to sustain essential services without pushing the nation’s debt beyond sustainable levels.
“In order to reset the economy of this country, we must maintain the water supply, and we will try to balance that every year in order to bring our debt levels to sustainable levels.”
The strike, led by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), began on June 2 following a breakdown in discussions over the implementation of a new conditions of service agreement signed in May 2024 and initially scheduled to take effect in July.
Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, also addressed the media, expressing regret about the disruption in services and affirming government’s willingness to continue dialogue.
He said the government has held several meetings with the leadership of GRNMA in good faith and continues to seek a mutually agreeable roadmap.
“Government remains committed to the needed engagement that will lead to the approval and implementation of the new conditions of service,” he noted.
Mr. Akandoh explained that an earlier meeting held on May 30 included all major nurses and midwives associations. While the majority were open to phased implementation, GRNMA opted out and declared a strike, despite a caution from the National Labour Commission (NLC).
When the NLC convened an emergency meeting on June 5, the association did not participate. The Commission subsequently declared the strike illegal and called for it to be called off to allow further negotiation.
The Health Minister stressed that while the government is not dismissing the concerns raised, it must also act responsibly in light of existing budgetary constraints.
“We are mindful of the serious economic consequences of unbudgeted expenditure and want to avoid the economic slippages that led to hardship in the recent past,” he said.
In the interim, the Ministry of Health says it will publish a list of alternative healthcare facilities where services remain available. It is also appealing to retired nurses and midwives to temporarily assist until the situation is resolved.
The Minister expressed gratitude to those currently at post and encouraged others to demonstrate compassion during this difficult period.
“We further express our deep appreciation to practicing nurses who have opted to remain at post to help suffering patients and urge others to show similar fellow feeling.”
Both ministries reiterated their readiness to continue dialogue with GRNMA and other stakeholders to reach a resolution that respects the needs of health workers while protecting the country’s fiscal stability.
