concerns have been raised over what many describe as the continued neglect of nurses’ welfare and a glaring failure by authorities to implement the agreed Conditions of Service (CoS) negotiated by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).Critics of the current agreement say the deal brokered by GRNMA was “porous and weak” — particularly disadvantageous to junior nurses.
According to mr. Vormawor sources close to the matter, it appeared as though junior staff were “intentionally sacrificed” during the negotiation process.This dissatisfaction prompted the newly formed Progressive Alliance of Professional Nurses and Guilds (PAPNG) to take legal action last year. The central objective of the court case was to ensure broader participation in future negotiations — a move that has since been seen as successful in widening union representation and incorporating diverse perspectives.
PAPNG’s legal representatives emphasized that the group was never interested in monetary compensation. “The leadership of PAPNG wanted structural reforms, not financial gains,” one legal adviser noted. “We advised them not to pursue monetary reliefs because this was about setting a precedent — that poor representation and weak bargaining carry consequences.”The statement further urged the Ministry of Health not to take the patience of nurses for granted. It argued that the CoS — though flawed — must be implemented retroactively and respected until its expiration next year.
There was also a call for the next agreement to reflect the essential and irreplaceable role nurses play in Ghana’s healthcare system — a role described as “more indispensable than Article 71 officeholders paid millions.”The statement also addressed what it described as misinformation regarding the injunction granted last year.
According to the timeline provided, the injunction was issued just a day before the implementation deadline of July 1, 2024. “If indeed the systems were ready, then why did nothing trigger when the injunction was lifted?” the statement questioned.It noted that the legal case concluded well before the new administration presented its national budget — yet six months later, no concrete steps have been taken toward implementation.
“If the well-being of nurses was truly a priority, then what stopped the government from acting?” the statement queried.The piece concluded with a firm ultimatum: the Minister of Health must work with relevant unions and the Ministry of Finance to create a clear and actionable roadmap by July 31, 2025, to address nurses’ grievances. If not, industrial action would be “inevitable and justified.
Let’s treat nurses with due respect,” the statement ended. “Akandoh, fix this.”
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