GRNMA Leadership Meets Health Minister, Offers Apology and Reaffirms Commitment to Collaboration

The leadership of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has extended an unqualified apology to the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, for recent public comments directed at him. The courtesy call, which brought together past and present leaders of the Association, also served as a platform to discuss critical issues affecting nurses, midwives, and the broader healthcare sector.

In receiving the apology, Hon. Akandoh urged the Association to maintain open dialogue and constructive engagement with the government, emphasizing that mutual respect and partnership are essential for advancing quality healthcare delivery. He reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with healthcare professionals to strengthen the health system and ensure equitable access to care nationwide.

The Minister highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the government to support the nursing and midwifery workforce. These include:

• Integration of 13,500 nurses onto the government payroll to address employment backlogs.
• Establishment of the Ghana Medical Training Fund (GMTF) to build capacity for healthcare professionals.
• Retooling of government health facilities to improve service readiness and patient care.
• Payment of arrears on nursing training allowances and National Health Insurance claims.
• Absorption of 50 percent of admission fees for nursing training institutions, easing the financial burden on students.

Hon. Akandoh also pledged to ensure the smooth implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a key framework for improving conditions of service for nurses and midwives. He reiterated government’s broader goal of transforming the health sector in line with Universal Health Coverage (UHC), calling for calm and continued cooperation from all stakeholders as challenges are addressed.

During the engagement, the GRNMA leadership presented concerns affecting healthcare professionals, particularly those that directly impact the ability of nurses and midwives to deliver quality care. They stressed the need for urgent interventions to improve service delivery and safeguard the welfare of frontline workers.

Those present at the meeting included former GRNMA President, Alice Darkoa Asare-Allotey; Immediate Past President, Dr. Krobea Asante; Current President, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo; and General Secretary, Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum.

The meeting underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between government and healthcare professionals. Such partnerships remain indispensable to advancing Ghana’s health agenda and ensuring that the health system is responsive, equitable, and capable of meeting the needs of all citizens.