Ghanaian Nurses and Midwives suspend nationwide strike

Nurses and midwives in Ghana have suspended their nationwide strike action.

The strike began on June 9, 2025 but has been called off by Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) following days of negotiation between the government of Ghana and the Association.

The nurses and midwives had embarked on the strike over the Ghanaian government’s failure to implement revised conditions of service.

Announcing the suspension of the strike at a press briefing in Accra, President of the GRNMA, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, pointed out the need for the government to show greater respect for the nursing profession and address the welfare needs of its members with urgency.

At the heart of the dispute was the government’s proposal to postpone the implementation of newly negotiated conditions of service to 2026, a move the Association strongly opposed.

The strike, which affected public healthcare facilities across the country, resulted in widespread disruptions to health services. Many hospitals reported reduced staffing levels, longer waiting times, and delays in accessing critical care services. Emergency wards and maternity units were among the hardest hit.

Despite several rounds of dialogue, including an emergency meeting held on June 9 between the Ministry of Health, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and GRNMA leadership, no immediate resolution was reached—forcing the Association to press forward with the strike.

However, mounting pressure from the public, patient advocacy groups, and key stakeholders in the health sector pushed both parties back to the negotiating table. The decision to suspend the strike follows renewed commitments by the government to revisit the proposed timeline for implementation and improve ongoing dialogue.

Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo noted that while nurses and midwives will resume work, the Association will continue to monitor developments closely.

The GRNMA has further called on government negotiators to treat the upcoming rounds of discussions with the seriousness they deserve, warning that failure to meet their demands in good faith could trigger further action.

Source:Africa Publicity