GRNMA strike: Gov’t has never disrespected nurses – Prof. Khalid

Professor Sharif Mahmud Khalid, Economic Adviser to the Vice President, has strongly defended the government’s conduct during the recent strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), asserting that the administration has consistently demonstrated respect for healthcare professionals and has never adopted a disrespectful stance towards them.

Prof. Khalid made these remarks during a discussion on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, June 14.

Addressing public perceptions and criticisms, especially from the Minority in Parliament, Prof. Khalid stated unequivocally, “There has not been any official government position insulting nurses or health workers. That’s correct.”

He acknowledged that in the heat of labour negotiations, “tempers may flare, strategies may be ignited,” but he firmly differentiated such dynamics from any formal disrespect from the government’s side.

Prof. Khalid appealed for a practical, economic understanding of the government’s approach, emphasising the challenging fiscal environment inherited.

“We’ve come far from a very difficult economic position in the last one year or so,” he explained.

He painted a picture of a “quite messy” economic dashboard, citing significant challenges such as the central bank posting losses, the implementation of a domestic debt exchange programme, and the impact on “blue-chip investments such as pensions”.

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“We really had a very overheated economy that is yet to even cool off,” he underscored, arguing that against this backdrop, the government’s engagement with the nurses was rooted in economic reality.

He rejected labels of the government being “insensitive and callous”, stating, “I don’t think that is what it is because it is a real engagement of the reality on the ground.”

The Economic Adviser advocated for a “jaw-jaw” approach to resolving such disputes, highlighting that continued negotiation remains the only viable path.

Referring to the substantial GH¢2 billion wage bill demanded by the nurses – a figure previously cited by the Deputy Finance Minister – Prof. Khalid explained the government’s stance as a request for “some respite” and a call to negotiate the deferment of some payments, possibly to 2026, by which time economic conditions are projected to improve.

He pointed to current gains in “currency stability” and overall economic stabilisation as indicators of this potential future capacity.

Prof. Khalid also made a strong plea against politicising the strike action and weaponising terminology.

“I don’t want us to look at it from a political lens. We have to look at it from a practical economic perspective,” he urged. He condemned the deployment of “weaponising terminologies… trying to justify cases or make a government look bad,” stressing the need for all stakeholders to consider the issue from a “national perspective, a holistic perspective”.

While acknowledging the long history and struggles of labour unions and the critical nature of essential services like healthcare, Prof. Khalid’s submission aimed to frame the government’s actions as responsible management of a complex situation rather than a show of disrespect towards Ghana’s vital healthcare professionals.

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