Nurses and Midwives to Resume Work Saturday, June 14, as Constructive Talks Continue
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has officially called off its nationwide strike, directing all members to return to duty starting Saturday, June 14, 2025. The announcement follows an emergency ad-hoc Council meeting held today, June 13, after significant progress was made during high-level discussions with Parliament’s Health Committee.
The decision brings a moment of relief after nearly two weeks of disrupted healthcare delivery across the country.
The strike, which began on Monday, June 10 after a brief pre-escalation phase, was a response to the government’s proposal to delay the implementation of the 2024 Conditions of Service for nurses and midwives until 2026. GRNMA rejected the offer outright, describing it as a breach of trust and an attack on their welfare.
The industrial action saw nurses and midwives withdraw their services from public facilities nationwide, severely affecting emergency care, maternal services, and chronic illness management.
As the strike intensified, civil society organizations (CSOs) such as the Ghana NCD Alliance, VAST-Ghana, and the Stroke Association Support Network raised the alarm. In a joint statement, they highlighted the life-threatening impact on patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and epilepsy.
“We are facing a humanitarian health crisis. Many patients are being turned away, and private care is beyond the reach of most Ghanaians,” the CSOs warned.
On June 12, GRNMA leadership met with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, resulting in what both sides described as a “constructive and hopeful” engagement. A roadmap was developed to guide further negotiations, with another meeting scheduled for June 26 to finalize details of the Collective Agreement’s implementation.
Following the success of this meeting, the GRNMA Council convened today to assess the situation.
“We believe the goodwill shown during the talks and the structured roadmap provide a credible path forward. We are suspending the strike while continuing to monitor the government’s commitment,” said GRNMA President Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo.
Although the strike has been suspended, the fallout continues. Private and mission hospitals across Ghana have been overwhelmed with patient numbers over the past week. In regions like Kumasi and Accra, healthcare providers in private facilities reported full wards and long queues as they struggled to accommodate overflow from public institutions.
Public hospitals are expected to gradually resume full operations starting Saturday.
Summary of Events
| Date | Event |
| June 2 | GRNMA issued intent to strike |
| June 9 | Full-scale strike commenced |
| June 10–12 | Government appealed to retirees, CSOs raised alarm |
| June 12 | GRNMA met with Parliament’s Health Committee |
| June 13 | GRNMA suspended strike after Council meeting |
| June 14 | Work resumes across public facilities |
What This Means for the Public
- Nurses and midwives will return to work on June 14.
- Emergency services and routine care in public facilities will gradually normalize.
- Patients are advised to remain patient as facilities ramp back up to full capacity.
- GRNMA leadership will reassess progress after their next meeting with Parliament on June 26.
Final Word
The suspension of the strike is a welcome relief, but stakeholders agree that the true resolution lies in the full and timely implementation of the 2024 Conditions of Service. GRNMA has affirmed its commitment to protecting the welfare of its members while ensuring continuity of care for the Ghanaian public.
As the country begins to recover from the disruption, all eyes remain on the government’s next steps—and the fulfilment of its promises to the nation’s essential healthcare workers.
Story by GRNMA, Accra.
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