Labour consultant Austin Gamey has cautioned unpaid nurses and midwives against resorting to demonstrations or legal action, insisting that such approaches will not resolve their salary crisis.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, Mr Gamey said restraint, engagement and follow-through offered a better path to securing the long-delayed payments than protests or court battles.

His comments come amid rising agitation by a coalition of unpaid nurses and midwives under the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, who say they have been paid for only one month after working for nearly a year in public health facilities.

The group says they worked continuously for 12 months but received a salary for just a single month, describing the situation as cruel, demoralising and damaging to morale across the health sector.

They accuse the Health Ministry of broken promises and selective payments, warning that the neglect could undermine patient care nationwide.

But Mr Gamey argued that the dispute may not be driven entirely by money, saying the issue has lingered for years despite changes in government.

Read also: Pay us now – Unpaid nurses, midwives demand 11 months of salary arrears

He said the matter has now become an obligation that must be honoured, stressing that Ghana has reached a point where recurring labour payment crises should not be repeated.

Mr Gamey urged all sides to exercise restraint and work together to ensure the process is completed, insisting the affected nurses and midwives will have to be paid.

He expressed strong confidence that government can raise the funds to clear the arrears, pointing to the character of the current President and his concern for working people.

He appealed to the nurses and midwives to exercise patience and allow the process to run its course, while assuring them that advocacy is also taking place quietly behind the scenes.

Mr Gamey warned that taking to the streets or pursuing a legalistic route could complicate the situation rather than resolve it, maintaining that such steps will not provide a solution at this stage.

The salary arrears dispute has become one of the most emotive labour issues in the health sector, with growing public concern over its impact on morale and service delivery.

Despite the frustrations, Mr Gamey insists calm engagement, not confrontation, offers the best chance of securing relief for the affected health workers.