Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu says the decision to delay implementation of the new conditions of service for nurses is not a backtrack but a necessary step to protect the economy from collapse.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express Tuesday night, the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese MP said the administration is deeply concerned about the ongoing strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), but insisted that rushing to honour the agreement without a proper financial plan would be reckless.
“This is about saving the economy. You need a functioning economy before you can meet any of these demands,” he said.
“We cannot make commitments that will destroy the very system we need to fund essential services.”
The nurses’ strike entered its second day on Tuesday, after a crucial meeting with the Health Ministry collapsed on Monday.
At the heart of the impasse is government’s request to postpone implementation of their new conditions of service to 2026—a request GRNMA flatly rejected.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu justified the delay, saying the government assessed the fiscal implications and found the current terms untenable.
“The Deputy Finance Minister has pegged the annual cost at GH¢2 billion. I have seen estimates even higher than that. The question is, can the national budget absorb this, especially when other public sector workers also have legitimate needs?”
Pressed by host Evans Mensah on why government agreed to the terms only to attempt renegotiation, he argued that continuity in governance must be balanced with responsible management.
“Yes, government is a continuum. But there’s a reason why governments change. If something threatens the economy, you don’t follow it blindly. You take corrective measures,” he said.
He pushed back against suggestions that the government had acted in bad faith.
“You don’t put something in the budget just because it was agreed. Not when discussions were still ongoing and a final, fiscally sound position had not been reached. Otherwise, we’re back to square one—with deficits, debts, and no room to manoeuvre.”
Kwakye Ofosu also responded to criticism that government had months to plan but failed to budget for the deal.
“It wasn’t a simple oversight. It was a deliberate decision based on economic realities. We cannot afford unbudgeted expenditure of this magnitude.”
He stressed that the government is still committed to dialogue and urged the GRNMA to return to the negotiation table.
“We are not taking unilateral decisions. We need engagement. And we retain hope that they will come to the table.”
In the meantime, he said, steps have been taken to lessen the impact of the strike.
“The Health Minister has published a list of healthcare facilities where patients can still receive care. These include private and some institutional facilities whose nurses are not part of the strike.”
Kwakye Ofosu described the situation as unfortunate but insisted that preserving economic stability must take precedence.
“This is not about refusing to honour commitments. It’s about how to do so without wrecking the economy. That’s the hard truth.”