Scores of patients seeking Outpatient Department (OPD) services at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi have been left stranded as health workers have embarked on a strike effective today, Monday, July 15, 2024.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UPNMG), are all on strike in response to a call by organised labour.

Some patients had traveled far distances only to discover that healthcare services have been suspended due to the strike.

Organised labour declared an indefinite strike action following the National Pensions Regulatory Authority's (NPRA) approval giving clearance to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), to proceed with its controversial plan to offload a 60% stake in four hotels to Bryan Acheampong's Rock City Hotel.

Although the sustained protest by organised labour eventually led to the termination of the deal by SSNIT, organised labour believes the current SSNIT board and top management's participation in the widely criticised and contentious deal, has exposed a significant failure in their (SSNIT) decision-making and accountability, demonstrating a clear disconnect from those they represent.

Organized labour is currently holding an emergency meeting to decide on the way forward for the nationwide strike after the dramatic changes that followed the group’s declaration of a nationwide industrial action last Friday.

Among issues of consideration at Monday's meeting will be the fate of the management and Board of Directors of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).