SSNIT must officially communicate to Organised Labour or we’ll proceed with strike – GMA

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to participate in the impending strike on Monday by Organised Labour unless the Social Security National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) officially communicates its termination of the sale of its four hotels.

Organised Labour announced its intention to embark on a nationwide strike on Monday, July 15, to demand that SSNIT terminate the sale of 60% of its shares in the four hotels.

This decision was made after the National Executive Council (NEC) of Organised Labour held an emergency meeting on July 12, 2024, to discuss the recent development. The GMA, in a statement, declared its intention to join the strike.

However, Rock City Hotel, owned by the Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has announced its intention not to proceed with the purchase of the hotels. Additionally, SSNIT has issued a statement confirming the termination of the deal.

In an interview with Selorm Adonoo on The Big Issue on Channel One TV, the General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Richard Selormey, emphasized that their members will withdraw Outpatient Department (OPD) services from July 15 to 17, 2024, and emergency services from July 18 to 21, 2024.

He also stressed that their decision remains in effect until a contrary instruction is communicated by Organised Labour.

“We have not heard any contrary directive or decision from Organised Labour, neither have we received any formal communication from SSNIT. For now, all [SSNIT] communication people have sighted on social media are rumours.

“I believe that SSNIT knows that the proper thing to do is to formally communicate properly to Organised Labour…We believe SSNIT knows what to do is to reach out to Organised Labour, so as we speak, the status quo remains, the statement holds. When SSNIT does what is necessary, Organised Labour will reconvene quickly, make a decision and communicate to our members.

“Today is available, tomorrow Sunday is available, probably early morning of Monday is available. From July 15-17, OPD services will be withdrawn, it is subsequent to that emergency services will be withdrawn, and July 22, is what we have agreed to withdraw all services.

“It is not our wish that this should go on. I think they should be asking the other side, that is the government or SSNIT to actually do the right thing by formally communicating their decisions and providing evidence of the same to Organised Labour for us to quickly reconvene, and take the decision and communicate same to our members and the public.