The Industrial and Labour Division of the High Court in Accra has placed an injunction on the nationwide strike declared by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), ordering an immediate halt to the industrial action.
The ruling, issued by Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori on Thursday, June 5, 2025, follows an ex-parte application by the National Labour Commission (NLC).
The court described the strike as illegal and directed the association to call it off with immediate effect.
“It is hereby ordered that the application is granted and the respondent herein, its executives, officers, members, agents, servants, employees and other persons linked to the respondent are hereby injuncted or restrained from carrying on their illegal strike with immediate effect,” Justice Ofori stated.
The injunction is set to last for 10 days, after which the NLC may seek an extension, but only after serving notice to the GRNMA.
The GRNMA had earlier notified the NLC of its intent to embark on industrial action in a letter dated May 29, 2025.
The protest was over delays in the implementation of their 2024 Collective Agreement, with nurses and midwives accusing the Ministry of Health and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) of failing to fulfill commitments on allowances, accommodation, and workload issues.
However, the NLC invoked its authority under Section 138 of the Labour Act, directing the GRNMA to suspend all planned actions—including wearing red bands and withdrawing services—pending mediation.
Despite this directive, the GRNMA proceeded with the strike on June 4, ignoring a scheduled meeting with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Finance. This prompted the NLC to declare the action illegal and order an immediate return to work.
The Ministry of Health has appealed to the GRNMA to resume work while negotiations continue, warning that the prolonged strike is placing extreme strain on the public healthcare system. Several major hospitals have reported difficulties in providing basic services, with some wards left unattended due to staff shortages.
Authorities have reiterated that the nurses and midwives failed to adhere to legal procedures under Section 159 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), and called for cooperation in resolving the grievances without disrupting healthcare services.
