June 27, 2025, | Accra, Ghana
By patientlifematters
Ghana’s healthcare sector remains in a fragile state following the temporary suspension of a nationwide strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA). Although services have resumed, the union has issued a firm ultimatum to the government to fulfil all outstanding agreements by July 2025 or face the possibility of another industrial action.
The GRNMA embarked on a nationwide strike on June 10, 2025, in protest of the government’s proposed deferral of agreed conditions of service to 2026. These conditions, outlined in the 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), include:
- Enhanced fuel, uniform, and on-call allowances
- A 13th-month salary
- Professional development support
- Timely license renewal aid
- Rural incentive packages
The strike brought services in major public and some private health facilities to a halt, leaving thousands of patients—particularly those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and stroke—stranded.
During the strike, the government—through Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh—made a public appeal for retired nurses and midwives to temporarily return to work. The Ministry of Health also promised to release a list of alternative facilities to mitigate the crisis.
The government blamed financial constraints, with the Ministry of Finance estimating the full implementation of the CBA would cost GHS 2 billion.
Amid growing public pressure, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health intervened and held a closed-door meeting with GRNMA leadership on June 12.
Following productive dialogue with the parliamentary committee, GRNMA’s National Council held an emergency meeting on June 13 and voted to suspend the strike, directing all members to resume work on June 14.
“We are suspending the strike, not ending it. We expect the government to show seriousness and deliver,”
— Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, GRNMA President
A follow-up meeting initially scheduled for June 26 to finalize implementation details was postponed to July 10, 2025, due to the unavailability of key government stakeholders. GRNMA has criticized the postponement, stating it was done without prior consultation, undermining trust and momentum.
In response to the delay, GRNMA has now issued a final deadline to the government:
- Four priority items must be implemented by the end of July 2025:
- Fuel allowance
- Uniform allowance
- Book/research allowance
- 8% non-basic allowance
- All other items in the CBA must be delivered by January 2026, with formal timelines agreed at the July 10 meeting.
“This is our final goodwill gesture. If the government fails to meet the July deadline, we will have no option but to resume the strike,” — GRNMA Statement
The July 10 meeting between GRNMA, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission is expected to be a make-or-break engagement. The Parliamentary Health Committee has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring compliance and transparency during this process.
Patientlifematters.com: while the suspension of the GRNMA strike brought temporary relief to Ghana’s healthcare system, the core issues remain unresolved. The government is under immense pressure to act decisively by July 31, or risk further disruption in the health sector. The nation now awaits the outcome of the July 10 meeting, which could either build lasting progress—or trigger another wave of protests.
Stay with patientlifematters.com for verified updates as the July deadline approaches
