Court Halts Nationwide Nurses and Midwives Strike, Declares It Illegal

The High Court’s Industrial and Labour Division in Accra has issued an interim injunction against the nationwide strike declared by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), effectively ordering an immediate end to the industrial action.

Presided over by Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori, the court described the strike as unlawful and instructed the GRNMA to cease all strike-related activities without delay. The injunction, granted on Thursday, June 5, 2025, came in response to an ex-parte application filed by the National Labour Commission (NLC).

The court’s ruling prevents GRNMA—along with its executives, members, agents, and affiliated individuals—from continuing with the strike, which it categorized as illegal under Ghanaian labour laws.

“It is hereby ordered that the application is granted, and the respondent herein, its executives, officers, members, agents, servants, employees, and other persons linked to the respondent are hereby restrained from carrying on their illegal strike with immediate effect,” stated Justice Ofori.

The injunction is to remain in force for ten days. After this period, the NLC may seek an extension through a formal notice to GRNMA.

Background to the Dispute
GRNMA had notified the NLC in a letter dated May 29, 2025, of its intention to strike over delays in the implementation of their 2024 Collective Agreement. The association accused the Ministry of Health and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) of failing to fulfill promises on issues such as allowances, accommodation, and workloads.

In response, the NLC invoked Section 138 of the Labour Act, directing GRNMA to suspend all intended actions—including symbolic protests like wearing red bands and plans to withdraw services—while mediation efforts were underway.

On June 4, the FWSC, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Finance attended a scheduled mediation meeting, but GRNMA did not show up and instead proceeded with the strike.

Following this, the NLC declared the strike illegal and ordered the nurses and midwives to return to work. It cited the GRNMA’s failure to comply with legal procedures outlined in Section 159 of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651).

The Ministry of Health also appealed to striking members to resume work to prevent a collapse of the already strained public health system. Despite this, the strike had already begun to significantly disrupt healthcare delivery across the country, leaving major hospitals understaffed and struggling to provide essential services.