In response to the escalating strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), the government has turned to retired professionals, urging them to temporarily rejoin the workforce to help ease pressure on the nation’s strained healthcare system.
The call for assistance follows days of disruption triggered by the government’s controversial decision to delay the implementation of new service conditions for nurses and midwives until 2026—an offer the GRNMA has outright rejected.
At a press conference held on Tuesday, June 10, Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh acknowledged the crisis and outlined emergency steps being taken to mitigate the effects.
“Given the urgency of the situation and the suffering of patients, the government is appealing to public-spirited retired nurses and midwives to volunteer their service for a brief period pending the resolution of the impasse,” the Minister stated.
To help patients access care during the strike, the Ministry of Health is preparing to release a list of alternative facilities offering nursing services. These centers are intended to supplement hospitals and clinics currently grappling with staff shortages.
The Health Minister also revealed that directives have been issued to the Ministry of Finance and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to work swiftly on a plan for implementing the revised conditions of service for nurses.
“Government remains committed to continuing dialogue with the nurses to reach a mutually acceptable outcome in the interest of public health,” he assured.
Talks aimed at ending the strike gained momentum on Monday, June 9, when health ministry officials met behind closed doors with GRNMA leadership and other key stakeholders.
But those discussions failed to yield an agreement, and the strike has continued, leaving thousands of patients without adequate care and forcing many health facilities—both public and private—to scale back services or shut down entirely.
