The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) initiated a comprehensive strike action on Monday, June 9, 2025, impacting all public health facilities in the region. This withdrawal of services encompasses all facets of healthcare delivery, including in-patient care, out-patient consultations, emergency services, and crucial antenatal care. Consequently, hospitals across the region are grappling with a critical shortage of essential medical personnel, compromising the delivery of healthcare services to the public. The strike stems from unresolved grievances between the GRNMA and the government, primarily concerning the non-payment of critical allowances as stipulated in the 2024 Collective Agreement.
Despite the National Labour Commission (NLC) securing an interlocutory injunction against the strike on Thursday, June 5, 2025, the GRNMA maintains that it has not received official notification of the injunction. As such, the association considers the strike action lawful and is determined to continue pressuring the government to address its demands. The GRNMA’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Philemon Adu Brempong, unequivocally stated the association’s position, emphasizing that the strike will persist until the government demonstrates a commitment to fulfilling their obligations as outlined in the collective agreement. This unwavering stance underscores the seriousness of the situation and the deep-seated frustration felt by nurses and midwives in the region.
Adu Brempong further articulated the GRNMA’s discontent with the government’s perceived prioritization of other expenditure over the welfare of healthcare workers. He questioned the allocation of funds towards the renovation of historical sites while essential healthcare professionals remain unpaid and undervalued. This juxtaposition underscores the GRNMA’s argument that the government’s spending priorities are misplaced and that healthcare should be prioritized over other projects. This disparity in resource allocation fuels the association’s determination to continue the strike until their demands are met.
The impact of the strike is profoundly felt across major health facilities in the region, including the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Manhyia District Hospital, and Suntreso Government Hospital. Reports from these institutions paint a picture of widespread disruption and patient distress. Long queues of unattended patients, including pregnant women, have become a common sight, while consulting rooms remain closed. The absence of nursing staff has created a chaotic environment, highlighting the critical role these professionals play in the daily functioning of healthcare facilities. This disruption underscores the urgency of resolving the impasse between the GRNMA and the government.
The GRNMA’s decision to proceed with the strike, notwithstanding the court injunction, underscores its resolve to secure its members’ rightful entitlements. The association’s unwavering stance highlights the perceived lack of seriousness with which the government has addressed their concerns. The focus remains firmly on the implementation of the 2024 Collective Agreement and the prompt payment of outstanding critical allowances. Until these demands are met, the GRNMA remains committed to maintaining the strike action, potentially prolonging the disruption of healthcare services in the Ashanti Region.
This ongoing strike by nurses and midwives in the Ashanti Region of Ghana highlights the critical importance of addressing the concerns of healthcare professionals. The withdrawal of essential services not only disrupts the delivery of vital care but also underscores the precarious state of the healthcare system. The GRNMA’s firm stance, even in the face of a court injunction, emphasizes the depth of their frustration and their unwavering commitment to securing fair treatment and recognition for their invaluable contributions to the health and well-being of the nation. The resolution of this dispute requires immediate and decisive action from the government to address the GRNMA’s legitimate grievances and ensure the uninterrupted provision of healthcare services to the people of the Ashanti Region.
