Chaotic scenes unfolded in some public health facilities across Ghana today as the ongoing strike by nurses and midwives entered a critical phase.
The total withdrawal of services has left patients stranded, clinics overcrowded, and doctors overwhelmed, despite a court injunction secured by the National Labour Commission (NLC) against the strike.
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) insists they will not return to work until their demands are met.
The strike, which began in phases on June 2, 2025, escalated on June 9 with a complete withdrawal of services. The GRNMA is protesting the delayed implementation of the 2024 Collective Agreement, which governs salaries, allowances, and working conditions.
The association claims the government’s stance during negotiations violates Act 651 of the Labour Law, which mandates good faith in negotiations.
Despite an interim injunction secured by the National Labour Commission (NLC) to restrain the GRNMA from laying down their tools, the nurses have carried through their plan, bringing healthcare services to a halt at many public health facilities.
The NLC has backed its previous move with another application for substituted service, compelling the GRNMA to compulsory arbitration.
At the Ridge Hospital in Accra, patients had been left unattended due to the strike.
At the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, earlier today, some senior nurses attempted to provide care to patients already admitted.
However, some junior nurses reportedly prevented them from proceeding, leading to chaotic scenes within the emergency ward. The issue was resolved amicably once hospital management intervened.
The strike has also affected other regions. In Tamale, the Central and West hospitals were completely deserted, with nurses and midwives fully complying with the directive to boycott work.
In the Upper East Region, the Upper East Regional Hospital experienced a complete withdrawal of services, with nurses in all units deciding not to work.
