Austin Gamey, a labour expert, is admonishing the striking Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to engage the government over their demands acknowledging the concerns of both parties.
Whereas Mr. Gamey says the nurses have genuine concerns that needs to be addressed, he avers the government equally has concerns that needs to be factored while considering the demands of the nurses.
As an “empathiser of the situation”, Gamey, speaking on Ghana Tonight on TV3 Tuesday, June 10, 2025, stated, “I share the concerns the nurses are raising; equally, the employer has concerns.”
According to him, “the employer is barely six months old,” and promising to satisfy the nurses’ conditions without assurance would be deceptive.
He urged both parties to engage in dialogue to reach a consensus and avoid further escalation.
“So, it makes sense for both parties to go to [the] table, have a conversation about the subject matter under consideration and resolve it. They can resolve it. Indeed, you cannot do away with the law with law. The law sets the standards and processes to be gone through,” he stated.
The GRNMA and its allied associations declared their strike on June 3, following months of unsuccessful negotiations with government over improved conditions of service, including allowances, risk benefits, and rural posting support.
The union has accused the government of failing to honour its commitments, citing stagnation in salaries amid rising cost of living and inflation.
Hospitals and clinics across the country have since been left operating with skeletal staff, causing significant disruption to healthcare delivery.
Emergency services have been prioritised, but many patients in public hospitals have reported delays or outright cancellation of care.
While the Ministry of Health insists it remains open to dialogue, it has not yet presented a revised financial framework that would incorporate the nurses’ demands without breaching budgetary limits.
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Ampem Nyarko, and the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, at a press conference Tuesday, June 10, 2025, indicated that honouring the conditions would break the economy since the demands were not contained in the budget.
The GRNMA, for its part, insists it will not call off the strike until tangible commitments are made.
Gov’t must take remedial action on ongoing GRNMA strike – Austin Gamey
