Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem has called on striking nurses and midwives to return to the negotiating table, warning that their demands, if met in full, could place significant strain on the country’s fragile economic recovery.
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) began a nationwide strike on Tuesday, June 4, citing repeated delays in the implementation of their 2024 Collective Agreement.
The agreement, which addresses key issues around salaries, risk allowances, and rural incentives, has been a major point of contention for months.
The industrial action has crippled healthcare services at over 300 public facilities across all 16 regions, leaving thousands of patients stranded. Emergency services are operating at minimal capacity, and elective surgeries have been indefinitely postponed.
Speaking during a joint press conference with the Minister of Health in Accra, Mr. Nyarko Ampem acknowledged the vital contributions of nurses and midwives but stressed the financial limitations the government is facing.
“Our nurses are central to healthcare delivery, and we value their work deeply,” he said. “But meeting all their demands would mean adding over GH¢2 billion to the national wage bill — a figure that presents serious challenges to our fiscal stability.”
The Deputy Minister explained that such an increase would not only place pressure on government finances but could also crowd out spending on essential services and infrastructure.
According to him, the proposed amount could account for more than 10% of the health sector’s entire annual budget.
He further highlighted the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline under the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility programme, which requires Ghana to maintain a primary budget surplus of 1.5% annually to rein in public debt. Ghana’s debt-to-GDP ratio is currently hovering around 75%, making responsible spending more critical than ever.
“It’s crucial we manage public expenditure carefully,” Mr. Nyarko Ampem added. “We’re asking our respected nurses and midwives to consider the broader economic picture as we work together to find a balanced path forward.”
The government is proposing a phased implementation plan that would gradually introduce the revised conditions of service over multiple budget cycles.
According to Mr. Nyarko Ampem, this approach would allow the government to honor its obligations to healthcare workers while staying within budgetary limits.
“We’re open to meaningful dialogue,” he said. “Let’s work together to agree on a roadmap that will ensure both economic stability and fair treatment for our hardworking health professionals.”
Despite the appeal, union leaders have not yet indicated a willingness to suspend the strike. Negotiations between the GRNMA and government representatives are expected to resume later this week.
By: Shadrack Odame Agyare | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
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