Health Ministry activates plan amid nurses strike

As nurses and midwives across Ghana begin a nationwide strike, the Ministry of Health is stepping in with urgent measures to keep essential health services running.

The strike, which began on Monday, June 2, was initiated by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).

Over 128,000 healthcare professionals have withdrawn their services, citing delays by the government in fulfilling agreed-upon conditions of service.

Their absence has raised widespread concern about the continuity of care in the country’s hospitals and clinics.

To limit the disruption, the Ministry has instructed all health facility heads to ensure that emergency services and maternity care remain operational.

Additional coordination efforts have been set in motion, including linking hospitals with ambulance services and assigning security to protect nurses and midwives who are still on duty.

A statement issued by the Ministry on May 31 explained that a new negotiation committee has been formed with representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and the nursing body to seek a long-term resolution.

While most nursing groups have agreed to continue working, the GRNMA has not.

“The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, assured them of his commitment to ensuring that the welfare of nurses and midwives is always prioritised,” the statement noted.

Rotational nurses and students currently on clinical rotation have been advised not to participate in the strike.

The Ministry says it is closely monitoring developments and is prepared to support public and quasi-government facilities as patient numbers rise.

Read the full statement below:
[gview file=”https://www.theghanareport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DOC-20250601-WA0015-1.pdf”]