The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has hit back at what it describes as a wave of misinformation and propaganda surrounding its recent industrial action, insisting that their demands were legitimate and grounded in fairness.
In a statement issued on Friday, June 13, the Association announced the suspension of its strike, which began with a series of escalating actions starting June 2, and culminating in a complete withdrawal of services on June 9. "Our demand from our employer was simply to have the Collective Agreement of Ghanaian nurses and midwives, which was signed in May 2024, duly implemented without any further delay," the statement read.
But according to GRNMA, the strike was quickly distorted in the public domain. "Having monitored the misinformation, disinformation and the propaganda that have surrounded our strike action, the leadership of the Association would like to set the records straight," the statement clarified.
Addressing misconceptions about their intentions, the Association emphasized that their actions were not taken lightly. "We are nurses and midwives trained to provide essential health services to the Ghanaian population, and matters affecting us which are brought formally to the attention of the employer must be treated with the urgency it deserves and in good faith." They also expressed the emotional toll the strike had on members, who had to make difficult decisions out of necessity-not neglect. "As nurses and midwives, we do not take delight in seeing our patients suffer," they stated. "However, we cannot take good care of others when the system does not take good care of us." GRNMA's leadership reaffirmed their commitment to quality healthcare and called on the government and relevant stakeholders to honour their agreements moving forward, to prevent a repeat of such industrial actions.
