Full implementation of nurses’ conditions of service to add GHC 2 billion to the budget—Deputy Finance Minister
The government of Ghana has revealed that meeting the demands of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) would come at a significant cost.
According to Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko, full implementation of the nurses’ conditions of service would add GHC 2 billion to the country’s budgeted expenditure. This substantial financial burden has prompted the government to carefully consider its options in resolving the ongoing strike.
The strike, which has severely impacted healthcare delivery across Ghana, has led the government to seek alternative support from experienced professionals. Retired nurses and midwives have been urged to volunteer their services to ensure patients continue to receive essential care.
The government acknowledges the critical role nurses play in healthcare delivery and is committed to finding a resolution.
The Deputy Finance Minister emphasized that the sheer number of nurses involved, over 120,000, makes implementing their demands a significant challenge.
“We want to show our commitment to help in resolving this important issue because our nurses are very, very critical to healthcare delivery, and we appreciate what they do; however, the government cannot ignore the potential consequences on the budget”,; he mentioned.
For his part, the health minister explained that implementing the new conditions of service immediately would severely disrupt the national budget.
“Government wishes to stress its readiness to further engage in a manner that does not dislocate the national budget. We wish to draw your attention to the fact that the conditions of service and the reference are not captured in the 2025 budget and will completely throw the economy off gear if implemented immediately in the manner in which it currently exists,” the Minister of Health said.
He added that the government is mindful of the economic consequences of unbudgeted expenditure and is working to prevent a repeat of the financial hardships experienced in recent years.
These issues were raised at an emergency press conference held on Tuesday, 10th June 2025, by the Minister for Government Communications, the Health Minister, and the Deputy Finance Minister to brief the media on developments in the health sector.
The outcome of the negotiations will have significant implications for Ghana’s healthcare system.
The government’s willingness to engage with the nurses’ association and find a mutually beneficial solution is crucial in resolving the strike, with tension rising within the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, a quick resolution should be the priority to calm the situation down.
source – gbcghanaonline
