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GRNMA Slams CHAG Over Threats to Sanction Striking Nurses and Midwives

Mrs Perpetual Ofori Ampofo

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has fiercely condemned what it describes as “intimidation tactics” by the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), following a widely circulated directive targeting nurses and midwives who participated in a recent nationwide industrial action.

The association expressed outrage after a June 30, 2025, circular from CHAG titled “Request for List of Staff” was shared across its member health facilities.

The document, according to GRNMA, outlines punitive measures against staff who joined the strike, including demotions, withholding of salaries and allowances, and delays in promotions.

In the leaked circular, CHAG reportedly urged facility heads to:

These measures have drawn sharp criticism from the GRNMA, which has vowed to resist any attempt to punish its members for exercising their constitutional and labor rights.

In a strongly worded statement issued Wednesday, GRNMA stated:

“It is evidently clear that the welfare of nurses and midwives does not matter to CHAG as an agency under the Ministry of Health. We want to remind CHAG that all nurses and midwives working in their faith-based health facilities are paid by the government of Ghana.”

The association further emphasized that CHAG’s intended actions amount to an abuse of labor rights and freedom of association, which are protected under Ghana’s Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).

“We unequivocally condemn these intimidation tactics that seek to undermine our right to peaceful assembly and protest. Targeting individuals who stand up for their rights threatens the very ethos of our profession—built on care, compassion, and solidarity.”

GRNMA cited Section 10(d) of the Labour Act, which guarantees the right of workers to join a trade union and to participate fully in union activities, including industrial action. The association stressed that punishing individual nurses and midwives for participating in a union-led strike is unlawful and constitutes unfair labor practice.

While acknowledging legal restrictions on strike actions by essential service providers, the GRNMA also noted that Sections 162 and 163 of the same law place an obligation on employers to respond with urgency and fairness to the grievances of such workers.

“The law is never one-sided and is fair to all parties,” the association stated.

In a clear message to CHAG, the GRNMA warned of nationwide consequences if any disciplinary actions are carried out against its members.

“We want to assure all nurses and midwives working in CHAG facilities who participated in the strike that the leadership of the association will take CHAG on if they touch any of them,” the statement warned.
“We will not hesitate to lay down our tools in support of our colleagues working in those facilities.”

The GRNMA called on all nurses and midwives in CHAG facilities to remain calm and continue their duties, assuring them of the association’s full commitment to defending their rights and securing the implementation of the agreed collective agreement.

“Leadership continues to fight for the implementation of our Collective Agreement and to protect our rights as workers,” the statement concluded.

The labor standoff comes amid ongoing negotiations between the GRNMA and government stakeholders over working conditions and welfare concerns within Ghana’s healthcare system.

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