By Nadia Ntiamoah
A fresh wave of tension has erupted between the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) and the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) following a controversial directive issued by CHAG to penalize health workers who participated in a recent nationwide strike.
In a press release dated July 3, 2025, the leadership of GRNMA condemned what it described as “draconian” and retaliatory measures contained in a CHAG circular titled “Request for List of Staff”, distributed to heads of faith-based facilities under its network.
The circular, dated June 30, 2025, outlines punitive actions against government-paid nurses and midwives working in CHAG institutions who joined the GRNMA’s legally declared industrial action.
CHAG’s Proposed Sanctions Spark Outrage
According to the GRNMA, CHAG has directed its facilities to compile names of nurses and midwives who took part in the strike, with intentions to:
1. Repost newly assigned staff who participated in the strike.
2. Demote staff holding management positions who joined the protest.
3. Remove Heads of Departments (HODs) who were part of the action.
4. Withhold May allowances and special benefits such as accommodation, vehicle, and responsibility allowances for participants.
5. Delay promotions of all striking staff, despite being due, citing that promotion is based on “performance, conduct and character.”
6. Request the Controller and Accountant General to withhold one week’s salary for all nurses and midwives who participated in the action.
The move has been sharply criticized by GRNMA, which argues that CHAG has overstepped its bounds and is actively undermining the welfare and rights of health workers who are employed by the Government of Ghana, not CHAG itself.
