The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, calls on retired nurses and midwives to step in and volunteer their services amidst the ongoing strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association.
At a press conference on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the Minister urged retired nurses to step in temporarily to help mitigate growing pressure on public health facilities.
“We are calling on public-spirited retired nurses and midwives to help us during this difficult time. Their experience and commitment to service can help us manage the strain on our healthcare system,” Mr. Akandoh said.
The GRNMA embarked on the strike following the government’s proposal to delay implementation of new conditions of service until 2026—a move the union described as unjust and unacceptable. The association insists that the improved working conditions must be implemented sooner.
Responding to these demands, Mr. Akandoh explained that immediate implementation would place an unsustainable burden on the national budget.
“Government wishes to stress its readiness to further engage in a manner that does not dislocate the national budget,” he noted. “The proposed conditions of service are not captured in the 2025 budget and would completely throw the economy off gear if implemented in their current form.”
The Health Minister added that the government remains conscious of the economic setbacks caused by unbudgeted spending in recent years and is committed to avoiding a repeat of such financial instability.
“We are mindful of the serious economic consequences of unbudgeted expenditure and want to avoid the economic slippages that led to the hardship in the recent past,” Mr. Akandoh said.
Despite the current deadlock, the Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to dialogue and finding a “mutually acceptable resolution” in the interest of public health and national stability.
Meanwhile, hospitals across the country continue to struggle with reduced staffing levels, affecting essential services and patient care. It remains unclear how many retired nurses and midwives will respond to the government’s call in the coming days.
Below is the 2024 agreement the nurses signed with government
