Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has warned that implementing the new conditions of service demanded by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) would have significant negative consequences on Ghana’s economy. He stated that government finances could be derailed if the proposed changes were adopted in their current form.
Over 128,000 nurses and midwives across the country went on strike on May 28, 2025, due to the government’s delay in implementing new service conditions, which were agreed upon under the previous Akufo-Addo government in 2024. The GRNMA has made it clear that they will not return to work until their new conditions of service are fully implemented.
In a press briefing on June 10, 2025, Minister Akandoh explained that the nurses’ demands were not included in the 2025 national budget. Implementing the new service conditions, as they currently stand, would create an unbudgeted expenditure that could cause serious disruptions to the national economy. The Minister noted the government’s concern about avoiding economic slippages that could lead to the hardship experienced in the recent past.
“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,” Akandoh said.
The Minister also emphasized that the government had made several efforts to engage with the GRNMA and explore alternatives to implement the new conditions without negatively impacting the national budget. While the government remains committed to addressing the needs of nurses and midwives, Akandoh urged for a resolution that would ensure economic stability.
In the meantime, the government has announced interim measures to mitigate the impact of the strike on healthcare services. Akandoh revealed that the Ministry of Health would soon publish a comprehensive list of facilities that will provide alternative nursing services during the strike, ensuring that patients continue to receive care.
Additionally, the Minister called on retired nurses and midwives to volunteer their services during this critical period until the strike is resolved.
Although the National Labour Commission secured an injunction ordering the nurses to return to work, the GRNMA’s strike remains in effect, severely impacting healthcare delivery as patients are left without essential care.
The government reiterated its commitment to ongoing dialogue with the GRNMA to reach a mutually beneficial resolution and restore full nursing services across the country.