The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has urged striking nurses and midwives to resume work, stating that meaningful engagement cannot happen while the strike continues.
“To all health workers, I remain the best person to advocate for your interests, and I will continue to do so. But let’s return to our health facilities, meaningful engagement can’t happen while you’re still on strike,” Akandoh said in an interview on 3FM on Wednesday, June 11.
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) declared a nationwide strike following the government’s delay in implementing the 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement, which was signed a year ago.
The protest began with nurses wearing red armbands and headbands from June 2 to 3, followed by the withdrawal of Outpatient Department (OPD) services from June 4 to 8, 2025.
As the strike entered a critical phase, the National Labour Commission (NLC) intervened, securing an injunction against the protest and declaring it illegal. The commission has directed the GRNMA to negotiate with the Ministry of Health to resolve the dispute.
More than 128,000 nurses and midwives across Ghana officially declared the nationwide strike on May 28, 2025, citing frustration over the government’s continued delay in implementing their revised conditions of service, which were agreed upon in 2024 under the Akufo-Addo administration.
Akandoh’s appeal to end the strike comes amid growing concerns about disruptions in healthcare services, with patients across the country facing difficulties accessing medical attention due to the withdrawal of services.
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