The Minority in Parliament has criticised the government’s handling of the rongoing nationwide strike by nurses and midwives, calling for a more respectful and constructive approach in negotiations.

Speaking to journalists in Parliament on Tuesday, the Ranking Member of the Health Committee, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie, said the government must “change its posture” towards members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), who are demanding improved conditions of service.

He described the government’s legal action against the striking workers as an act of “bad faith” and urged authorities to prioritise dialogue over confrontation.

“Even taking them to court is an extreme act of bad faith. Everybody is being assertive – you cannot use the law to checkmate them,” Dr Afriyie said.

“The posturing of government must change. Respect them, sit with them, let them know what you can and cannot do. Show respect to the nurses and midwives in this country and tell them something better.”

The Minority also called on the government to consider incorporating the nurses’ demands into the upcoming mid-year budget review or to partially implement their proposed conditions of service.

The GRNMA strike, which began earlier this week, has significantly disrupted healthcare services across the country, particularly in public hospitals and clinics. Nurses and midwives are pushing for immediate improvements in pay, allowances, and general working conditions.

The government has warned that fully implementing the demands in their current form would destabilise the economy, a claim the opposition has criticised as dismissive of the vital role health workers play.

Source:TheDotNews