Court halts nurses and midwives strike amid concerns over patient care
Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori, who presided over the case at the Industrial and Labour Division of the court, granted the order on Thursday, June 5, 2025, following an ex-parte motion filed by the National Labour Commission (NLC).
A High Court in Accra has issued a temporary injunction suspending the nationwide industrial action embarked upon by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), declaring it unlawful and mandating an immediate return to work.
Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori, who presided over the case at the Industrial and Labour Division of the court, granted the order on Thursday, June 5, 2025, following an ex-parte motion filed by the National Labour Commission (NLC). The injunction, effective for ten days, prohibits the GRNMA and all associated individuals—including members, executives, employees, and agents—from continuing with the strike.
According to the court, the strike breached legal requirements and was therefore unjustified. Justice Ofori emphasized that the ruling applies instantly to all who are directly or indirectly affiliated with the association.
Labour Dispute Origins
The GRNMA had announced its intention to strike in a May 29 letter to the NLC, citing the government's delay in implementing key components of the 2024 Collective Agreement. Chief among the concerns were unpaid allowances, unresolved accommodation arrangements, and excessive workloads.
In response, the Labour Commission invoked Section 138 of the Labour Act, instructing the association to suspend all forms of protest—including symbolic red band-wearing and eventual service withdrawal—while mediation efforts were underway.
On June 4, representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission attended a meeting organized by the NLC to address the standoff. However, the GRNMA was absent and went ahead with the strike.
Following this, the NLC formally declared the strike illegal and ordered the nurses and midwives to resume duty. The Commission stated that the GRNMA had flouted the procedures required under Section 159 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), making their industrial action unlawful.
Impact on Health Services
The Ministry of Health has also urged the association to reconsider its decision, warning that the strike is severely affecting public healthcare delivery. Reports from major hospitals indicated disruptions in basic services, with several wards abandoned due to staff shortages.
