June 25, 2025 Accra, Ghana
By [patientlifematters]
After nearly two weeks of industrial action, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has suspended its nationwide strike, allowing all nurses and midwives to return to duty on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The decision was reached following an emergency National Council meeting on June 13 and comes after intense negotiations with Parliament’s Health Committee.
While the suspension of the strike is a relief for the country’s strained healthcare system, the full implementation of the 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)—the main reason for the strike—remains pending.
The industrial action was sparked by the government’s proposal to defer the implementation of revised conditions of service for nurses and midwives to 2026. This proposal was rejected outright by the GRNMA, leading to a full-scale strike that began on Monday, June 10, following a week of pre-escalation protests.
Key demands in the CBA include:
- Enhanced fuel, uniform, and on-call allowances
- Professional development support
- Payment of a 13th-month salary
- Rural incentives
- Timely license renewal assistance
The withdrawal of nursing services from both public and some private facilities crippled health delivery across the country. Emergency units, outpatient departments, maternity services, and chronic care clinics reported drastic reductions in staff availability. Patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, and stroke were disproportionately affected.
Civil society organizations, including the Ghana NCD Alliance, VAST-Ghana, and the Stroke Association Support Network, issued urgent appeals to the government, describing the situation as a humanitarian health crisis.
During the peak of the strike, the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, called on retired nurses and midwives to volunteer temporarily. Additionally, alternative care facilities were announced to ease patient overflow in major hospitals.
Recognizing the escalating crisis, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health stepped in and held a crucial closed-door meeting with GRNMA on June 12. A roadmap was drafted to guide the resolution of the impasse and guarantee the eventual rollout of the new conditions of service.
Following the June 12 dialogue, GRNMA’s National Council met on June 13 and voted unanimously to suspend the strike, citing “goodwill and progress” in negotiations. All members were directed to resume work on Saturday, June 14.
“We have shown leadership in the interest of national health. However, we will not hesitate to resume action if the agreed roadmap is ignored,” said GRNMA President, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo.
As of now, the government has not fulfilled the agreed conditions. The strike was suspended based on a commitment to implement the CBA, not its actual delivery.
- The Ministry of Finance reportedly raised concerns about the financial impact, estimating an extra GHS 2 billion in expenditure.
- A follow-up meeting is scheduled for June 26, 2025, to finalize timelines and practical rollout of all agreed provisions.
GRNMA has stated it will monitor progress closely and reassess its stance depending on the outcome of that meeting.
Patientlifematters.com: The suspension of the GRNMA strike has brought temporary relief, but the issue is far from resolved. The government’s credibility now hinges on its ability to deliver the agreed conditions of service in a timely manner. All eyes will be on the June 26 meeting, which could either consolidate peace—or reignite industrial action.
Stay tuned for updates on the government’s response and the implementation of the 2024 CBA.
Published by, patientlifematters, London
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