Efforts to resolve the ongoing strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) have seen renewed momentum as Parliament’s Select Committee on Health held critical talks with key stakeholders. The dialogue, which brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), and the leadership of GRNMA, concluded with an agreement to reconvene in two weeks for continued discussions.
The engagement, held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, focused on the implementation of the 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which GRNMA says has been unduly delayed. The nurses and midwives embarked on an indefinite strike on June 4 after failed efforts to get the agreement enforced—an action the National Labour Commission (NLC) has declared unlawful.
Despite the ruling, GRNMA has stood its ground. “Our members feel deeply aggrieved by the continuous delay in honoring our agreement,” a GRNMA spokesperson said. “We will not abandon this strike until there is a clear and tangible commitment from government.”
The strike has left public hospitals understaffed and overwhelmed, compelling many patients to seek care in private facilities that are now overstretched. With growing concern over the impact on maternal, neonatal, and emergency care, Parliament’s Health Committee is pushing for a balanced resolution.
Committee Chairperson Hon. Nana Ayew Afriyie expressed optimism after the meeting. “We understand the frustrations of our nurses and midwives and remain committed to mediating a solution that respects their concerns while acknowledging government’s fiscal constraints,” he said.
During the meeting, government officials appealed to GRNMA to suspend the strike and resume work while talks continue. “Constructive engagement is the only sustainable path to resolution,” said a Ministry of Health representative. “We urge our nurses to return to work as we finalize the roadmap for implementing their conditions of service.”
It was recalled during discussions that the 2024 CBA was agreed upon on May 20, 2024. The GRNMA’s disappointment stems from the current administration’s plan to defer implementation until 2026 due to budgetary pressures—a move they have firmly rejected.
To move the conversation forward, the Health Committee has scheduled a follow-up meeting in two weeks. A formal letter, signed by Mrs. Eunice Korantemaa Abeka, Principal Assistant Clerk of the Committee, was sent to the GRNMA leadership inviting them to participate. “We believe that dialogue and collaboration are key to finding a mutually beneficial solution,” the letter read.
The invitation reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to resolving the issue through constructive engagement. The scheduled follow-up meeting is expected to serve as a platform to bridge the gap between the government and healthcare workers, and ultimately, end the strike that is crippling Ghana’s healthcare system.
As the strike continues, all eyes remain on Parliament to broker a timely and fair resolution that ensures the restoration of quality healthcare services across the country.