General Secretary of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum, has firmly dismissed allegations suggesting that the associations recent strike was driven by political motives.
He emphasised that the GRNMA has maintained a strong apolitical stance since its inception.
He was reacting to criticisms from a section of the public about a purported affiliation with the main opposition party.
During his appearance on TV3s The KeyPoints on Saturday, June 14, Dr. Tenkorang-Twum stated, “We are not aligned with any political party. From the time GRNMA came into existence, our focus has been on healthcare, not politics. It is worth noting that during our formation, the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) was in power, yet we have remained independent. In 2020, we took a stand under a different government, highlighting our commitment to our profession over political affiliations.”
His remarks come as a response to growing speculation regarding the motivations behind the nationwide strike action initiated by nurses and midwives earlier this month.
The GRNMA commenced its industrial action on June 2, 2025, primarily due to the governments failure to implement the 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), signed a year prior under the Akufo-Addo administration.
This agreement included critical provisions such as allowances for uniforms, licence renewals, and incentives for healthcare workers assigned to underserved areas.
The protest intensified from symbolic gestures like wearing red armbands to a complete withdrawal of outpatient services from June 4 to June 8, involving over 128,000 nurses and midwives across the nation.
In response, the National Labour Commission (NLC) deemed the strike illegal and obtained a court injunction compelling the association to return to the negotiating table with the Ministry of Health.
On Friday, June 13, the GRNMA announced the suspension of the strike following intervention from Parliaments Select Committee on Health.
In a statement authored by the associations President, Mrs. Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, the GRNMA expressed that the decision was made with the well-being of patients in mind.
“We do not take delight in seeing our patients suffer; however, we cannot provide quality care when our own needs are neglected,” the statement articulated.
Moreover, the GRNMA condemned what they termed “misinformation and propaganda” that clouded public perception of their actions.
They highlighted, “As trained professionals dedicated to delivering essential healthcare services to the Ghanaian public, we expect matters affecting us to be addressed with urgency and sincerity.”
Despite the temporary halt of the strike, the association reaffirmed its demand for the prompt implementation of the 2024 CBA, clarifying that pausing the strike is not indicative of weakness but rather a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue.
Looking ahead, a follow-up meeting between GRNMA representatives and Parliaments Health Committee is set for June 26, 2025, signalling ongoing discussions aimed at resolving these pressing issues.
