The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) has called off its industrial action. This follows an agreement reached at a swift meeting convened on the eve of 7th November between executives of GHOSPA, the Minister of Health as well as other ministers of state to resolve the impasse. In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, GHOSPA said among the resolution agreed upon was a decision to immediately reverse the unilateral migration of pharmacists onto the SSSS. It said in view of the agreements reached “the leadership of GHOSPA hereby calls off the nationwide strike action and urges all Government and Hospital Pharmacists to, in the spirit of Amicus Humani Generis, resume work fully at their various stations across the nation.” Below is the full statement. PHARMACISTS CALL OFF STRIKE The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) embarked on a nationwide strike effective Monday 7th November, 2011 in reaction to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) ‘unilateral and deceitful’ migration of Pharmacists unto the SSSS without their consent and whilst negotiations on the grade and premium for pharmacists was on-going. Government’s reaction to the strike was swift and spontaneous: that same evening, a 6-hour meeting was held between the sector Minister (of Health), other key Ministers, and the FWSC to resolve our grievances. At the end of the marathon discussions, the parties jointly signed a common statement setting out the agreed issues. Notable among these were: 1. An immediate reversal of the unilateral migration of pharmacists onto the SSS for the month of October. 2. From November, the Controller and Accountants-General’s Department will revert to the status quo pre-October until the consent of pharmacists have been properly obtained for migration onto the SSS 3. That the migration of pharmacists will not occur until the parties have both come to mutually satisfactory agreements regarding grading and premium of pharmacists. 4. That pharmacists as a group will be accorded the same respect and consultation offered other health workers without discrimination 5. The parties also resolved to work closely together as soon as possible to resolve the outstanding issues so Pharmacists could be migrated unto the SSSS. The National Labour Commission by a letter dated 07th November 2011 has also subpoenaed GHOSPA and the FWSC to submit to an immediate Compulsory Arbitration under Sections 164(1) (a) & (b) of Act 651. In view of the Joint Statement and the agreement to immediately reverse the unilateral migration of pharmacists onto the SSS, the leadership of GHOSPA hereby calls off the nationwide strike action and urges all Government and Hospital Pharmacists to, in the spirit of Amicus Humani Generis, resume work fully at their various stations across the nation. The membership of GHOSPA will not hesitate to use all legal means available to them including industrial action if the issues and agreements above are not adhered to and we hope our demonstration of commitment and good faith will be reciprocated by all stakeholders both now and in the future. We take this opportunity to thank the media for the support and the good people of Ghana for standing with us through these trying moments. …………………………………………………. STEPHEN CORQUAYE (National Chairman)