Labour Minister Dr. Rashid Pelpuo has appealed to the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to reconsider their nationwide strike, emphasizing the need for dialogue with the new administration.
Speaking on Joy News, the Wa Central MP expressed his concerns over the strike action, saying, “Well, we are more than shocked. We are disturbed. We are worried that they could go into a decision of a strike without much talk with us.”
Dr. Pelpuo noted that the current government deserves an opportunity to engage with labour unions. “Because I believe very strongly that if they started what they said they started a year ago or two years ago, this is a new administration.”
The Minister assured that the government remains committed to rebuilding confidence and trust with labour groups, including nurses and midwives. “We are doing everything we can to ensure we have a stable economy. We have a stable society. We work with workers to get their full support for how we can run this country.”
The GRNMA commenced their strike on Monday, following a breakdown in negotiations with the Ministry of Health. The dispute centers on the government’s request to delay the implementation of new conditions of service until 2026, a proposal that the association has firmly rejected.
Dr. Pelpuo disclosed that he had not been given the opportunity to meet with the association before the industrial action. “I had a chat with the president of the Nurses and Midwives Association, and I was complaining that they did not have the chance, the opportunity. They did not create the opportunity for me to have an interaction with them before the strike.”
He stressed that prior engagement might have led to a different outcome. “I informed her that I wish we had had some conversation after she had had those kinds of conversations with other sector ministers or other stakeholders.”
Despite the ongoing strike, Dr. Pelpuo urged the GRNMA to reflect on their decision, assuring them that the government remains open to discussions. “Government is willing to talk, and the doors remain open.”
