The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) is calling on the government to reconsider its recent directive, which halts all public service appointments made after December 7, 2024. The association argues that newly recruited nurses and midwives are essential to the country’s healthcare system and must be allowed to continue working. According to GRNMA President Mrs. Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, these professionals make up a significant portion of Ghana’s healthcare workforce, and any disruption to their employment could have dire consequences for patient care.
GRNMA warns that if the directive negatively affects its members, the association will not hesitate to take industrial action in solidarity with the affected nurses. Mrs. Ofori-Ampofo stressed that these healthcare workers have undergone rigorous training, obtained the necessary licensure, and were lawfully recruited through a process that started with financial clearance from the Ministry of Finance. The hiring of these nurses, who belong to the 2020 graduating cohort, was based on a structured system to ensure the country has enough qualified medical personnel.
Beyond the immediate employment concerns, the association also highlighted the ongoing issue of brain drain in the health sector. Many trained Ghanaian nurses and midwives seek better opportunities abroad, leaving the local system understaffed. GRNMA argues that revoking the appointments of newly hired nurses would only worsen this problem, as affected professionals may look elsewhere for job security. The association is urging the government to reconsider its decision to ensure Ghana retains its healthcare workforce and continues to provide quality medical services to the population.
