A Political Scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, has described the handling of the nationwide nurses’ strike as a complete failure on the part of the Health and Labour Ministers.
“This was the first test for the Health Minister, but he bombed.
This is the first test for the Labour Minister, but he bombed,” Dr. Zaato stated bluntly during an appearance on Key Points on TV3, Saturday, June 14.
According to him, the government’s response, particularly from Health Minister Kwabina Mintah Akandoh and Labour Minister Rashid Pelpuo, was “amateurish and insensitive” given the urgency of the crisis.
He criticized the Health Minister’s decision to call on retired nurses and midwives to step in during the strike by members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), describing it as a misstep rather than a solution.
“Government was insensitive to the needs of the nurses,” he added.
At a press briefing on June 10 in Accra, Mr. Akandoh appealed to retired healthcare professionals to “volunteer their services for a brief period pending the resolution of the impasse.”
However, the move has drawn widespread criticism, with many, including Dr. Zaato, accusing the government of downplaying the legitimate concerns of healthcare professionals and lacking a proper crisis management plan.
The strike by GRNMA members has placed immense pressure on the country’s health facilities, prompting urgent calls for swift dialogue and resolution.
