Many patients seeking Outpatient Department (OPD) services at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi are stranded following a strike by health workers that began today, Monday, July 15, 2024.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UPNMG), have commenced a strike in response to organized labor’s call.
Patients who traveled long distances have been disappointed to find healthcare services suspended due to the strike.
Organized labor has declared an indefinite strike following the National Pensions Regulatory Authority’s (NPRA) approval allowing the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to proceed with its controversial plan to sell a 60% stake in four hotels to Bryan Acheampong’s Rock City Hotel.
SSNIT eventually terminated the deal. However, organized labor believes that the participation of the current SSNIT board and top management in the widely criticized and contentious deal has exposed significant failures in their decision-making and accountability, highlighting a clear disconnect from those they represent.
Organized labor is currently in an emergency meeting to strategize on the next steps for the nationwide strike, following recent developments since the group declared industrial action last Friday.
Among the agenda items for Monday’s meeting is the fate of the management and Board of Directors of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).