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Health Minister appeals to striking nurses and midwives to return to work

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has issued a passionate plea to members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives’ Association (GRNMA) to consider the well-being of patients and return to the negotiation table, following an industrial action that has left many health facilities across the country understaffed.

The ongoing strike by nurses and midwives in public hospitals across Ghana continues to severely impact healthcare delivery, leaving patients stranded and medical services disrupted.

In many health facilities, nurses have abandoned posts, leaving patients stranded.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse show on Thursday, the Minister emphasised the government’s commitment to resolving the impasse, calling for unity and dialogue during what he described as a critical period for the nation’s healthcare system.

“I believe that in all these matters, my brothers and sisters should put the Ghanaian patient into consideration,” Mr Akandoh stated. “We are not tired; we are operating an open-door policy, and I am ready to engage anybody at any given time. Until we find a lasting solution to this matter, we will not relax.”

The strike, declared illegal by the National Labour Commission, has seen quite a number of nurses and midwives withdraw their services over unresolved concerns relating to working conditions and remuneration.

According to Mr Akandoh, a high-level meeting was convened recently, bringing together key stakeholders, including the Ministers of Health and Finance, representatives from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and the Labour Commission.

However, the GRNMA failed to attend the crucial discussions.

“Just yesterday [Wednesday], all the other stakeholders were brought on board,” he said. “The Minister of Health was around the table, the Minister of Finance was around the table, Fair Wages was there, Labour Commission was there — but my brothers and sisters couldn’t come.”

The Health Minister reiterated the importance of dialogue and expressed confidence in the commitment of the Finance Ministry to address the underlying issues.

“We have been in constant interaction with the Minister of Finance. This goes beyond the Ministry of Health,” he explained. “I can tell you the Minister of Finance is committed to finding solutions on this matter.”

Mr Akandoh cautioned that simultaneous industrial action and negotiations are counterproductive and urged the association to return to talks in good faith.

“We cannot be on a strike and be negotiating at the same time,” he stressed.

“I am ready to be on board fully to make sure that we have an amicable solution to this matter and they return to the various hospitals and do what they are supposed to do — for the betterment of the country, so that we don’t lose any life that is preventable,” he concluded.

Lead poisoning threat alarms health experts and environmental advocates

Growing concerns over widespread lead poisoning in parts of Ghana have prompted urgent calls for action from health officials and environmental experts. At the launch of the Coalition Against Lead Pollution Project in Prampram, experts highlighted the devastating effects of lead exposure, especially on children and pregnant women.

Dr. Patience Ami Mamattah, Ningo Prampram Municipal Health Director, warned of the long-term impact of lead contamination, citing new research by environmental NGO Pure Earth and its partners. The study, which tested 405 children, found that nearly 60% had dangerously high levels of lead in their blood.

“Exposure from sources like used car batteries, smelting, and open burning is extremely harmful, especially to children and pregnant women. We must act urgently,” said Dr. Mamattah.

According to the findings, lead poisoning causes irreversible damage to vital organs, including the brain, kidneys, and liver. In children, even low levels of exposure can lead to developmental delays, learning difficulties, and other neurological issues.

Dr. Esther Priscilla Biamah Dan Quansah, Health Director for the Kpone Katamanso Municipality, called for a more proactive approach, urging health authorities to treat children already affected—just as awareness campaigns are being prioritized.

“We must match education efforts with treatment. These children need urgent medical attention,” she said.
Esmond Wisdom Quansah, Country Director of Pure Earth, emphasized that collaboration across sectors is essential to mitigating the crisis.

“This issue cannot be tackled in silos. We need stronger cooperation between health professionals, environmental regulators, and local governments,” he stated.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also expressed concern. Letitia Abra-Kom Nyaaba, Acting Director of the Ghana National Cleaner Production Centre, noted that unsafe recycling practices and poor waste handling are key contributors to lead exposure.

“Proper disposal and recycling of lead-based materials—especially used batteries—can drastically reduce the risk,” she said.

The launch event brought together officials from the Ningo Prampram and Kpone Katamanso Municipal Assemblies, schoolchildren, and civil society organizations.

Sweet Surgical Sculpts founder offers free surgery to June 3 disaster victim

Founder of Sweet Surgical Sculpts, Dr. Kwadwo Adae, has offered to help 21-year-old Solomon Akugru, a victim of the tragic June 3 disaster, which occurred at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in 2015.

It has already been a decade since that devastating event, which claimed over 150 lives and left many injured.

For Solomon, the trauma remains not just in memory but in the visible scars on his face and the quiet pain of abandoned dreams.

Dr. Adae’s offer came during Solomon’s interview on Joy Prime’s Changes show with Roselyn Felli, aired on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

During the conversation, online journalist Kobby Kyei said Solomon had received some support from the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) following the publication of his story, where he was seen begging on the streets to support his daily needs.

When asked if he was satisfied with the support so far, Solomon responded, “Yes”, but made one final request: he wished to undergo surgery to correct the scars on his face.

READ ALSO: Freedom at last: Court of Appeal acquits Ataa Ayi’s alleged accomplice after 23 years in prison

 “I need someone who will help me do a surgery so I can look normal again,” he said in Twi.

A few minutes later, Dr. Adae joined the conversation and assured Solomon of his support, promising to sponsor the surgery once he is deemed fit following medical evaluations.

According to Dr. Adae, the type of surgery required will depend on the results of the medical tests and laboratory procedures.

 “Looking at how he looks now and the scarring of his face, I won’t be able to tell if it’s doable or not now. We’ll need to examine and see if there’s any functional impairment. When I say functional impairment, you see that the scar is almost across all the face, around the lips, the nose and almost across all the face. So we need to find out if he can even open his mouth fully or breathe normally, and if he can close his lips tightly. Based on all that, then we’ll know whether we need to correct one or leave the other,” Dr. Adae explained.

He assured that the medical examination is expected to begin in June, with the aim of determining a suitable date for the surgery, which will be performed in Kumasi, where his facility is located.

Beyond his profession as a surgeon, Dr. Adae is also known for his philanthropic work, supporting individuals with similar conditions who cannot afford treatment.

There is hope that Solomon Akugru will successfully go through the necessary medical examinations and eventually undergo the surgery to restore his facial appearance and boost his confidence.

Solomon had always dreamed of becoming a successful lawyer, but the tragic event shattered that ambition, as he has been unable to continue his education since the incident.

However, as the saying goes, “Where there’s life, there’s hope.”

At 21, Solomon has chosen to pursue a new path, setting his sights on learning a trade in tiling, a dream now made possible with the support of NEIP CEO Eric Adjei, who has provided him with the necessary tools.

Photos: Nurses and midwives’ strike leaves some hospitals empty

The ongoing strike by nurses and midwives in public hospitals across Ghana continues to severely impact healthcare delivery, leaving patients stranded and medical services disrupted.

Visits to many health facilities across the country on Wednesday, June 2, revealed that nurses and midwives have abandoned posts, leaving patients stranded.

NLC declares midwives and nurses’ strike illegal, orders them to call it off

The National Labour Commission has declared the ongoing industrial action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives’ Association (GRNMA) illegal, following the association’s failure to comply with procedural requirements under the Labour Act.

The ongoing strike by nurses in public hospitals across Ghana continues to severely impact healthcare delivery, leaving patients stranded and medical services disrupted.

In many health facilities, nurses have abandoned posts, leaving patients stranded.

The Ministry of Health has responded by issuing a series of emergency directives aimed at maintaining essential healthcare services while the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) proceeds with its industrial action.

According to a press release by the NLC, it received a Notice of Industrial Action from the GRNMA on May 29, 2025.

Acting swiftly under Section 162 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) and Regulation 20 of L.I. 1833 Labour Regulations 2007, the Commission summoned the association to appear before it on June 4, 2025.

The nurses and midwives were also directed to halt all planned actions, including wearing red bands and withdrawal of services, pending the Commission’s intervention.

While representatives from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the Ministry of Health, allied institutions, and the Ministry of Finance appeared before the Commission on the appointed day, the GRNMA failed to attend and proceeded with the industrial action as planned.

The Commission notes that the GRNMA did not comply with Section 159 of the Labour Act, which sets out the proper notice requirements for such actions.

• Read also: Strike by nurses disrupts healthcare services across Ghana

Consequently, the industrial action has been declared illegal, with an immediate directive for the association to call off the strike.

The leadership of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives’ Association has been urged to continue engagements with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission regarding the implementation of the Collective Agreement and to report the outcome of discussions by June 25, 2025, at 2:30 pm.

The Commission emphasised the importance of adhering to established legal processes to ensure industrial harmony, especially given the essential services provided by nurses and midwives in the healthcare sector.

Ghana’s Dr. Delese Mimi Darko elected first Director-General of African Medicines Agency

Ghana’s Dr. Delese Mimi Darko has been elected as the inaugural Director-General of the African Medicines Agency (AMA).

The election took place during the 2nd Ordinary Session of the Conference of State Parties held in Kigali, Rwanda, from June 2 to 4, 2025 .

Dr. Darko, who has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) since 2017, emerged as the top candidate in a competitive selection process that attracted 149 applicants from across Africa.

Dr. Darko is expected to leverage her vast experience to steer the AMA towards achieving its mandate of ensuring the availability of quality medical products across Africa

The AMA, established under a treaty adopted by the African Union in 2019, aims to enhance the capacity of state parties and regional economic communities to regulate medical products, thereby improving access to quality, safe, and effective medicines across Africa. With its headquarters in Kigali, the agency is poised to play a pivotal role in harmonizing medical regulations and combating the proliferation of substandard and counterfeit medical products.

Dr. Darko’s election has been met with widespread acclaim. Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, congratulated her on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I congratulate Dr. Mimi Darko and Team Ghana for the incredibly successful campaign. President Mahama deserves full plaudits for his amazing support and leadership”

Dr. Darko is expected to leverage her vast experience to steer the AMA towards achieving its mandate of ensuring the availability of quality medical products across Africa.

Her appointment represents a significant step forward in the continent’s efforts to bolster its healthcare systems and regulatory frameworks.

Strike by nurses disrupts healthcare services across Ghana

The ongoing strike by nurses in public hospitals across Ghana continues to severely impact healthcare delivery, leaving patients stranded and medical services disrupted.

In many health facilities, nurses have abandoned post, leaving patients stranded.

The Ministry of Health has responded by issuing a series of emergency directives aimed at maintaining essential healthcare services while the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) proceeds with its industrial action.

In a statement released by Tony Goodman, spokesperson for the ministry, a high-level meeting took place on May 30, 2025, between the Ministry and major stakeholders in the nursing and midwifery sector. The meeting included representatives from the GRNMA, the Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives (UPNMG), the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA), the National Association of Registered Midwives (NARM-G), the Psychiatric Nurses Association of Ghana (PAPNG), and the Nurses and Midwives Educators Society.

At the meeting, the unions presented a unified demand for the implementation of a Collective Agreement signed in 2024, which they claim has not been honored. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh assured the stakeholders that their concerns would be addressed promptly.

While most of the associations agreed to continue offering services, the GRNMA maintained its position to go ahead with the strike, prompting the Ministry to prepare for the disruption.

In many hospitals, nurses have abandoned post, leaving patients tranded at the OPD

Ministry responds with contingency plans

In anticipation of the strike’s impact, the Ministry has instructed public health facilities to activate contingency plans. Key measures include:

• Hospital managers, especially Directors of Nursing Services and their Deputies, are required to be present at work throughout the strike period.
• Unit heads must ensure that maternity and emergency services remain operational in all hospitals.
• The Ambulance Service is to remain on standby across all districts to assist with emergency cases.
• Coordinating structures are to be set up to manage emergencies, ensuring a continuous link with ambulance services.
• Daily reports on service delivery from the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, CEO’s, and Medical Directors of Teaching Hospitals will be submitted to the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry.
• The Ministry will collaborate with quasi-government health facilities to handle the expected increase in patient numbers during the strike.
• Rotational nurses and nurses undergoing mandatory clinicals have been advised not to participate in the strike.

The Ministry emphasized that it is closely monitoring the situation to ensure that all necessary logistics and support systems are in place to mitigate the disruption caused by the industrial action.

While acknowledging the nurses and midwives who have chosen not to join the strike, the Ministry has reiterated its appeal to the GRNMA to reconsider its decision, highlighting that discussions are ongoing to resolve the outstanding issues.

Pharmaceutical sector responds to Cedi stability, announces price cuts to support public health

The Ghana National Chamber of Pharmacy (GNCoP) and the Pharmaceutical Importers & Wholesalers Association (PIWA) have jointly commended the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Finance, and the Bank of Ghana for recent policy measures that have led to a significant and sustained appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi, particularly against the US dollar.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the two major pharmaceutical bodies described the cedi’s performance as a “strong indicator of improving macroeconomic stability,” noting that it is already delivering concrete benefits to Ghana’s heavily import-reliant pharmaceutical sector.

The sector, which imports a substantial volume of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), finished medical products, consumables, and equipment, has seen operational costs ease due to the stronger local currency.

Among the key impacts cited are:

• Reduced Import Costs: The stronger cedi has lowered foreign exchange costs, translating to reduced prices of essential medicines and health products.
• Better Business Planning: Greater currency stability has improved predictability in pricing and procurement, especially for small and medium enterprises in the sector.
• Improved Access to Medicines: With financial pressure easing, pharmacies and hospitals are better placed to maintain stock levels of essential medicines, enhancing access and improving health outcomes.

Despite these gains, the statement acknowledged that many pharmaceutical businesses are still grappling with the effects of past currency depreciation, including high procurement costs for older stock.

Nonetheless, in a show of support for the government’s inflation control measures and in the interest of public health, the GNCoP and PIWA have announced a price reduction of 5% to 15% across the board for pharmaceutical products.

“This decision is a demonstration of our sector’s commitment to national development and public health,” said Pharm. Audrey Serwaa Bonsu, Chief Executive Officer of GNCoP.

“We are ready to contribute meaningfully to reducing inflation, alleviating pressure on consumers, and improving access to medicines.”

The pharmaceutical bodies also urged the government to sustain its prudent economic management and increase support for private sector players, particularly in healthcare.

They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure medicine security, affordability, and resilience in Ghana’s public health system.

The price cut is expected to provide much-needed relief to both consumers and healthcare providers, especially amid ongoing efforts to curb inflation and stabilize the economy.