The National Labour Commission has declared the ongoing industrial action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives’ Association (GRNMA) illegal, following the association’s failure to comply with procedural requirements under the Labour Act.

The ongoing strike by nurses in public hospitals across Ghana continues to severely impact healthcare delivery, leaving patients stranded and medical services disrupted.

In many health facilities, nurses have abandoned posts, leaving patients stranded.

The Ministry of Health has responded by issuing a series of emergency directives aimed at maintaining essential healthcare services while the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) proceeds with its industrial action.

According to a press release by the NLC, it received a Notice of Industrial Action from the GRNMA on May 29, 2025.

Acting swiftly under Section 162 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) and Regulation 20 of L.I. 1833 Labour Regulations 2007, the Commission summoned the association to appear before it on June 4, 2025.

The nurses and midwives were also directed to halt all planned actions, including wearing red bands and withdrawal of services, pending the Commission’s intervention.

While representatives from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the Ministry of Health, allied institutions, and the Ministry of Finance appeared before the Commission on the appointed day, the GRNMA failed to attend and proceeded with the industrial action as planned.

The Commission notes that the GRNMA did not comply with Section 159 of the Labour Act, which sets out the proper notice requirements for such actions.

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Consequently, the industrial action has been declared illegal, with an immediate directive for the association to call off the strike.

The leadership of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives’ Association has been urged to continue engagements with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission regarding the implementation of the Collective Agreement and to report the outcome of discussions by June 25, 2025, at 2:30 pm.

The Commission emphasised the importance of adhering to established legal processes to ensure industrial harmony, especially given the essential services provided by nurses and midwives in the healthcare sector.