Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has called on retired health professionals to return to duty voluntarily, in a bid to cushion Ghana’s healthcare system as a nationwide strike by nurses and midwives stretches into its second week.
The move, which he described as a temporary measure, is aimed at mitigating the impact of the strike while government seeks a resolution.
The minister made the appeal during a press conference at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, June 10, where he urged public-spirited retirees to stand in solidarity with the nation during what he called a “difficult but crucial moment.”
The ongoing industrial action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has left many public hospitals and clinics overwhelmed, with critical services disrupted across several regions.
At the heart of the protest are demands for improved conditions of service—demands that the Health Minister admitted were not accounted for in the 2025 national budget.
Akandoh acknowledged the grievances as legitimate but cautioned that their immediate implementation could undermine the country’s fragile economic recovery. In a joint address with officials from the Ministry of Finance, he reiterated the government’s readiness to engage in further dialogue but ruled out any swift concessions.
The political implications of the standoff are already beginning to show, with opposition figures accusing the government of poor planning and negligence. Critics argue that the exclusion of nurses’ welfare from the upcoming budget reveals a broader disconnect between the administration and frontline public service workers.
With the economy touted as a key pillar of the ruling party’s campaign ahead of the 2026 general elections, how the government handles this crisis could carry significant electoral consequences.
For now, the Health Minister’s call for volunteerism among retirees is being seen by many as both a stopgap and a political gamble.
