The Minority Caucus in Parliament has urged the government to promptly respect its pledges under the May 2024 Conditions of Service agreement with the country’s nurses, describing the current situation as a flagrant breach of trust and decency.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, June 11, the caucus condemned what it called a “callous disregard” for nurses’ welfare and accused the government of pitting frontline health workers against the public through inflammatory rhetoric, specifically citing recent remarks by the Minister of Health.
“No nurse in Ghana should be forced to choose between taking care of themselves and prioritising their patients. Unfortunately, that is how far we’ve pushed our nurses today,” the statement said.
According to the Minority, despite signing the agreement more than a year ago, the government has failed to implement crucial terms, leaving nurses feeling disrespected, overworked, and underappreciated.
The group voiced dismay at the Health Minister’s allegation that leaders of the nurses’ union had “fled the country” to avoid conversation, calling the statement “reprehensible” and an attempt to discredit legitimate worker issues.
The National Labour Act preserves workers’ freedom to strike, and employees cannot be silenced for advocating for fair and safe working conditions. The Caucus emphasised that the strike is about professional dignity and agreed-upon benefits rather than wages.
The Minority also decried what they called as the government’s punitive methods aimed at discouraging industrial action, stressing that such acts jeopardise both health workers’ morale and the overall integrity of Ghana’s healthcare system.
“Our nurses have stated unequivocally that they are not on strike for pay; rather, they are fighting for the right to participate in decisions about their professional benefits. They ought to be acknowledged as healthcare heroes, especially since many of their compatriots are departing for greater chances abroad,” the statement stated.
The Caucus argues that the current NDC government’s compensation budget for the Office of the President has increased from GH₵327 million in 2024 to GH₵2.7 billion, highlighting misplaced priorities. They suggest redirecting such funds to meet the fair demands of nurses nationwide.
“If the administration is serious about rebuilding trust in our democratic system and public services, it must promptly execute the 2024 accord. “There is no excuse for failing to act,” the Caucus said.
They demanded an immediate and peaceful conclusion to the standoff, urging the government to prioritise the well-being of both nurses and the patients they serve.