Former Presidential Aide Slams Gov’t Over GRNMA Strike, Warns of Looming National Crisis

Accra, Ghana – June 9, 2025
Former Assistant Secretary to ex-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Ibrahim Adjei, has heavily criticised the government for what he termed a mishandling of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) strike, warning that the administration’s posture could plunge the nation into a deeper healthcare crisis.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Monday, Adjei condemned the government’s “intransigent attitude” in dealing with the striking healthcare workers and called for honest, constructive dialogue to avert further damage to the country’s healthcare system.

“We have a social contract with the doctors, nurses, and health workers as a whole. We cannot keep telling them to return to work when people’s lives are on the line. You don’t hold healthcare workers to ransom,” he asserted.

Adjei argued that beyond the issue of delayed allowances, the government’s failure stems from a broken trust between leadership and frontline workers, adding that poor communication and perceived disrespect are exacerbating the crisis.

Background

The nationwide strike, initiated by the GRNMA on June 4, 2025, stems from government’s failure to implement the 2024 Collective Agreement, which includes long-promised allowances, incentives, and better working conditions. The industrial action has severely crippled healthcare delivery, especially in public facilities.

Despite public appeals from Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh and GHS Director-General Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the union has stood firm, stressing that negotiations will only resume once the agreement is implemented.

Rising Tensions in Education Sector

In a related development, three major unions in Ghana’s tertiary education sector — UTAG, TUTAG, and CETAG — have also issued a strike warning over delayed book and research allowances. In a joint statement on June 9, the unions gave the government until June 13, 2025, to release the necessary exchange rate for calculating their allowances or face a nationwide industrial action.

“The undue delay in releasing the rate is unacceptable,” the statement read, noting that failure to comply will be treated as formal notification of strike.

The dual threat of crippling strikes in both health and education has amplified concerns over the government’s labour relations and capacity to manage public sector obligations, especially under economic constraints.

As both nurses and educators prepare to stand their ground, pressure is mounting on the government to act swiftly to restore essential services and rebuild trust with frontline professionals.

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