The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has urged the government to urgently engage the leadership of the Junior Doctors’ Association of Ghana to avert an impending strike.

The Junior Doctors’ Association has announced a nationwide withdrawal of services beginning Tuesday, October 7, 2025, over months of salary delays, stalled postings, and what it describes as persistent unfair treatment.

The GMA has warned that any industrial action by the Junior Doctors will severely affect healthcare delivery nationwide, stressing that government intervention is critical.

GMA President, Dr Frank Serebour, told Citi News on October 3 that the situation is unacceptable.

“For you to work for close to 10 months, 11 months, 12 months without salary, it’s something that nobody can defend, because we were able to work to reduce the number of months that we have to work before they receive a salary to three months. So, what happened that now we are gradually going back to this nine-month, eight-month business?” he questioned.

Dr Serebour said the GMA had intervened several times to calm the doctors, but their concerns remain unresolved.

“We’ve had several meetings to ensure that these doctors stay calm and continue giving their services. However, the assurances that we gave them … at a point, we realised that we can’t promise any longer. So we just have to allow them to also express their disgust or anger in a way that they feel would be in their best interest,” he said.

He revealed that about 800 doctors remain unposted, warning of further brain drain if their issues are not addressed.

“We still have about 800 doctors who are also at home who need to be posted. Because if we don’t post them, this is the avenue we create, and then people begin to look for other areas to go. And before you say Jack, not all of them are even in the country because they would have found places to go,” he cautioned.

Dr Serebour called for swift action to resolve the grievances and prevent the planned strike.

“Because once you finish school and you start work, everybody knows that you are supposed to be paid a salary. So I believe we will be able to resolve this matter amicably without the nuances of the strike action kicking off,” he added.