Government spokesperson and Member of Parliament for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese, Felix Kwakye Ofosu , has revealed that the Mahama administration is actively working behind the scenes to address the ongoing nationwide strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).
Describing the situation as critical, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu emphasized the urgency of restoring normal healthcare services.
“It’s a very serious matter,” he stated in a June 9 interview on PM Express on JoyNews. “We’re dealing with human lives. Ghanaians rely on health professionals to be at their posts and deliver essential care.”
The strike escalated after an emergency meeting between the GRNMA and the Ministry of Health ended without resolution. The deadlock stems from the government’s request to delay the implementation of agreed-upon conditions of service until 2026—a proposal the association has flatly rejected.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu called the strike regrettable but acknowledged the nurses’ and midwives’ frustrations. He noted that government is making quiet but determined efforts to resolve the impasse swiftly.
“We’re actively engaging to ensure they return to work and continue the critical services they provide,” he said, adding that the government deeply values the role nurses and midwives play in the healthcare system.
Quoting a medical professional, he remarked, “A doctor once told me that a hospital can function without doctors temporarily, but never without nurses.”
While negotiations continue, the government is also implementing measures to minimize the strike’s impact on patients.
“We felt it was important to inform the public about what’s being done—both to resolve the issue and to reduce the toll on patients,” he said.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the vulnerable during this period and expressed optimism that a resolution would be reached soon.
“We must find common ground quickly. Nurses are far too vital to be absent from their duties for long.”
