Labour and Employment Minister Dr. Rashid Pelpuo says he is “shocked and disturbed” by the strike action declared by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), accusing the leadership of failing to engage his office prior to the industrial action.

“We are more than shocked. We are disturbed. We are worried,” the Wa Central MP said in response to the ongoing nationwide strike.

The strike, which follows a deadlock in an emergency meeting with the Ministry of Health, stems from government’s request to postpone the implementation of new conditions of service for nurses until 2026—a request the GRNMA has firmly rejected.

Dr. Pelpuo said he was never granted the opportunity to engage directly with the Association before the strike was announced.

“I had a chat with the president of the Nurses and Midwives Association, and I was complaining that they did not create the opportunity for me to have an interaction with them before the strike,” he revealed.

According to him, early dialogue could have averted the crisis.

“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,” he added.

He stressed that the government remains committed to stabilising the economy and improving labour relations and urged public sector workers to lend their support.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure we have a stable economy, a stable society. We work with workers to get their full support for how we can run this country.”

Despite the strike already being in full swing, Dr. Pelpuo said the government is still open to dialogue.

“We’re still ready to talk,” he said, though he expressed frustration at being sidelined ahead of the strike.

Meanwhile, the GRNMA insists that the government’s attempt to defer their agreed conditions of service is unacceptable. Monday’s emergency meeting between the Association and the Ministry of Health ended without resolution.

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Striking nurses did not create opportunity to talk – Labour Minister

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