Talks show progress but public health remains at risk amid mounting pressure on private facilities.
The nationwide strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) is at a pivotal turning point as the Association’s leadership meets today, Friday, June 13, 2025, to determine whether to continue, suspend, or escalate the industrial action. The emergency ad-hoc Council meeting is expected to be decisive in shaping the next phase of this high-stakes standoff with the government.
Following days of sustained strike action that has paralyzed many public health facilities across Ghana, the GRNMA leadership has confirmed that an internal Council meeting is being held today to review outcomes of recent negotiations and to make a final decision on the future of the strike.
The industrial action began in protest against the government’s proposed deferment of the implementation of the 2024 Conditions of Service to 2026—a proposal the GRNMA has vehemently rejected. While recent engagements with Parliament’s Health Committee were described as “constructive,” no final agreement was reached.
“We are reviewing all feedback from the government and Parliament’s Select Committee on Health. The final decision on the strike will come from the Council after today’s meeting,” said a GRNMA spokesperson.
Civil society organizations, including the Ghana NCD Alliance, VAST-Ghana, and the Stroke Association Support Network, have again called on the government to resolve the impasse urgently. Their concern centres on the severe impact of the strike on vulnerable populations.
“People living with chronic conditions—such as stroke, epilepsy, diabetes, and cancer—are being left without care. The situation is becoming a public health emergency,” the CSOs warned in a joint press release.
They emphasized that many patients cannot afford private care and are at risk of complications or death if access to public nursing services is not restored soon.
The strain on the healthcare system continues to deepen, as private hospitals across the country report a surge in patient numbers. In urban centres such as Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale, facilities have been “inundated with patients”, forcing long wait times and stretching available resources to the limit.
Medical staff in these facilities have reported burnout and growing concern over how long they can sustain operations without government support or a resolution to the strike.
Encouragingly, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health facilitated a high-level engagement between GRNMA leaders and government officials yesterday, June 12. The dialogue was described as positive, and all parties have agreed to reconvene in two weeks for follow-up discussions.
While stakeholders are hopeful, no final agreement has yet been made to reverse the strike, pending the GRNMA Council’s decision today.
Summary of Developments – June 13, 2025
| Key Issue | Current Status |
| Strike Continuation | Decision pending from GRNMA Council meeting today |
| Parliamentary Engagement | Constructive meeting held; next round in 2 weeks |
| CSO Reaction | Repeated calls for immediate resolution to avoid further harm |
| Private Sector Impact | Hospitals overcrowded, staff overstretched |
| Public Facilities | Still largely without nursing and midwifery services |
What This Means for the Public
The healthcare system remains under strain, with no immediate end to the strike as of now. Today’s GRNMA Council meeting is expected to provide direction. Until then:
- Patients are encouraged to visit only Ministry-approved functional facilities, including mission and private hospitals listed by the Ministry of Health.
- Those with chronic conditions should seek emergency alternatives where available.
- Updates will follow as soon as the GRNMA releases the outcome of their Council meeting.
Patientlifematters.com: Stay tuned for official announcements and continued coverage of the GRNMA strike developments.
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