GRNMA suspends strike following parliamentary intervention

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has suspended its nationwide strike action following what it describes as “fruitful engagements” with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health.

In a press statement issued Friday, the leadership of the Association announced that the industrial action, which began with symbolic protests on June 2 and culminated in a full withdrawal of services on June 9, is being put on hold pending further discussions scheduled for June 26.

“In view of the engagement held with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health and other interested parties on Thursday, 12th June, 2025, which was very fruitful and has paved the way for an amicable resolution of the impasse with our employer concerning the implementation of our Collective Agreement, the GRNMA’s industrial action initiated on 2nd June 2025 is hereby suspended,” the statement noted.

The GRNMA’s strike action was aimed at compelling government to implement a Collective Agreement signed with the association in May 2024. According to the association, the delay in implementation prompted a tiered industrial action, beginning with red arm/head bands and progressing to a full withdrawal of services, including at outpatient and emergency departments.

The Association, however, pushed back against criticisms and political interpretations of the strike. 

“We are nurses and midwives trained to provide essential health services… As nurses and midwives, we do not take delight in seeing our patients suffer, however we cannot take good care of others when the system does not take good care of us,” the Association said.

The GRNMA also reiterated its apolitical stance, stating that it is a non-partisan professional body that has worked with every government since 1960. 

“In its 65 years of existence, the GRNMA has NEVER aligned with any political party in Ghana,” the statement emphasized.

The leadership further expressed gratitude to members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health for their intervention, as well as to the nursing and midwifery fraternity for their unity and discipline during the industrial action. The media was also thanked for its role in amplifying the concerns of nurses and midwives across the country.

With the strike now suspended, the GRNMA is calling on all nurses and midwives to return to their normal shift duties beginning Saturday, June 14.

“We assure you that we will not rest on our oars until the Collective Agreement is fully implemented,” the statement concluded.

The statement was signed by Mrs. Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo (President) and Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum (General Secretary).