Nurses Strike in Ghana: Threats and Demands

Strategic Insights -

Thousands of nurses and midwives in Ghana's Volta and Oti regions are on strike, protesting the delayed implementation of the 2024 Collective Agreement. The Association is demanding better salaries, allowances, and working conditions. According to their Volta/Oti Regional Chair, Mr. Courage Kumah, the striking members are being threatened by the Ministry and facility coordinators, with some even being told that their services will not be validated if they do not return to work.

Key Takeaways:

  • The strike began in phases on June 2, 2025, and escalated on June 9 with a complete withdrawal of services.
  • The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) is protesting the delayed implementation of the 2024 Collective Agreement, which governs salaries, allowances, and working conditions.
  • Striking nurses and midwives are being threatened by the Ministry and facility coordinators with consequences such as non-validation of their services.
  • The Association has set up an online reporting system to collate responses from striking members being threatened.
  • Facilities where cases of threats were received include the Ho Teaching Hospital, Volta Regional Hospital, Hohoe, Ho Municipal Health Directorate, Nkwanta North District Health Directorate, and some Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) facilities.
  • Auxiliary staff such as IT officers, Health Information Officers, and first-year nursing students are being used to replace striking members, but their inexperience puts patients' lives at risk.
  • The Association will remain on strike until their demands are met, and their legal teams are working on the issues of threats.

Statistics:

  • The strike has been ongoing since June 2, 2025.
  • The strike escalated on June 9, 2025, with a complete withdrawal of services.
  • The GRNMA has set up an online reporting system to collate responses from striking members being threatened.

Sources:

  • Ghana News Agency: "Nurses Strike: We're being threatened to return to work"