Minority demands implementation of nurses’ conditions of service agreement

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on government to immediately honour its commitments under the May 2024 Conditions of Service agreement with the country’s nurses, describing the current state of affairs as a gross betrayal of trust and dignity.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, June 11, the caucus criticised what it called a “callous disregard” for the welfare of nurses and accused the government of pitching frontline health workers against the public through inflammatory rhetoric, particularly referencing recent remarks by the Minister of Health.

“No nurse in Ghana must be forced to choose between taking care of themselves and putting their patients first. Unfortunately, that is how far we have pushed our nurses today,” the statement read.

According to the Minority, despite the agreement signed over a year ago, the government has failed to implement the key provisions, leaving nurses feeling disrespected, overworked, and underappreciated.

The group expressed dismay at the suggestion by the Health Minister that leaders of the nurses’ union had “fled the country” to avoid dialogue — describing the comment as “reprehensible” and an attempt to undermine legitimate worker grievances.

“The National Labour Act protects workers’ right to strike, and employees cannot be silenced for standing up for fair and safe working conditions,” the Caucus reminded the public, asserting that the strike is not about wages, but about professional dignity and agreed-upon benefits.

The Minority further condemned what they described as retaliatory tactics by the government aimed at discouraging industrial action, warning that such actions endanger both the morale of health professionals and the overall integrity of Ghana’s healthcare system.

“Our nurses have made it clear that they are not on strike for their wages – they are fighting for the ability to have some say over their professional benefits. They deserve to be treated like the healthcare heroes they are, especially at a time when many of their compatriots are leaving for better opportunities abroad,” the statement said.

Highlighting what they deem to be misplaced priorities, the Caucus noted that the compensation budget for the Office of the President has ballooned from GH₵327 million in 2024 to GH₵2.7 billion under the current NDC government — arguing that a redirection of such funds could easily satisfy the fair demands of nurses across the country.

“If the government is serious about restoring faith in our political system and public services, it must immediately implement the 2024 agreement. There can be no excuse for failure to act,” the Caucus warned.

They called for an urgent and amicable resolution to the impasse, urging the government to prioritise the well-being of both nurses and the patients they serve.