Engage GRNMA to resolve strike impasse – Ayew Afriyie to Finance Ministry

Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie, has called on the Ministry of Finance to urgently engage the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) in order to resolve the ongoing nationwide strike that has crippled health services.

The GRNMA began an industrial action this week over delays in enforcing the 2024 Collective Agreement, which addresses critical conditions of service such as unpaid allowances and delayed postings. The strike has resulted in a near standstill in outpatient and emergency services, putting hospitals under intense pressure.

The National Labour Commission (NLC) has declared the strike illegal, accusing the GRNMA of failing to follow due process. However, the association insists that government must fulfill its commitments.

Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Thursday May 5, Dr Afriyie said the impasse appears to stem from the Finance Ministry’s failure to continue a previously agreed roadmap initiated under the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration to implement the 2024 Collective Agreement signed with the GRNMA.

“I think what they seek is to get the Ministry of Finance back to the roadmap just where we left off in May 2024, and I am not too sure they are getting the sort of audience they need to get from the Ministry of Finance,” he stated.

He explained that the agreement, which was nearing final approval, had received verbal commitments from the Ministry at the time, and was only delayed due to a court case initiated by a separate group of nurses.

“It lies with the Ministry of Finance to continue where the NPP left off, which was going to approve that [agreement] to authorise Comptroller, and that was agreed verbally with them and it was going to be written and directed accordingly until they took it to court by another section of the nurses,” Dr. Afriyie explained.

He further indicated that the current strike may be a result of a breakdown in communication or lack of understanding between the Ministry of Finance and the leadership of the GRNMA.

“I am not too sure they have that understanding and cooperation from the Ministry of Finance, and that is probably causing their frustration at this point in time,” Dr Afriyie added.