The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has officially declared that its members will not participate in the planned strike by organised labour on October 10, 2024, aimed at protesting illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
In a statement released on October 9, 2024, following an emergency meeting held on October 8, the GRNMA emphasised that its members are expected to remain at their posts and continue to deliver essential healthcare services to the people of Ghana during the strike action.
“The GRNMA and its members will not embark on the strike action declared by organised labour and therefore directs that all nurses and midwives stay at the post and continue delivering safe and quality health services to the good people of Ghana,” the statement read.
While the GRNMA is choosing not to partake in the strike, it expressed solidarity with the other trade unions and associations under organised labour in the fight against illegal mining.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for stronger national interventions to address the galamsky crisis, which has caused severe environmental and health impacts, including pollution of water bodies and deforestation.
“We solidarize with member trade unions and associations under organised labour in the fight against Galamsey and will continue to advocate for stronger national interventions to curtail the Galamsey menace in Ghana,” the statement added.
The announcement comes as organised labour plans an indefinite strike to press the government to take decisive action against galamsey by enforcing a ban on illegal mining activities.
The labour unions have expressed frustration with the government’s perceived inaction on the matter and argue that the continued existence of illegal mining operations undermines the country’s natural resources and threatens the livelihoods of many Ghanaians.
In a similar stance, the Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) also urged its members to stay at work while expressing solidarity with organised labour.
GHOSPA emphasised that, while its members support the cause of addressing illegal mining, they believe that their primary responsibility remains to the health and well-being of Ghanaians, and as such, their services will continue uninterrupted.
Organised Labour, meanwhile, has yet to make a final determination on whether the strike will proceed. The leadership is expected to meet later today, October 9, 2024, to assess the situation and decide the next steps for the industrial action set to begin tomorrow, October 10.
The galamsey issue has become a major point of contention in Ghana, with the government facing growing pressure from civil society, trade unions, and environmentalists to take stronger action against the widespread illegal mining activities. Despite previous efforts to curb the problem, illegal mining remains rampant in various parts of the country, contributing to environmental degradation and loss of revenue.
As the situation continues to evolve, the stance of health professionals, including nurses and midwives, will be closely watched, as their decision to remain at work ensures that essential services will be available to the public, even as the nation grapples with the impact of the ongoing industrial action.
Below is GNMA’s full statement:
