Ghana Medical Association will not participate in Organised Labour strike

The GMA has said it will not be part of the action to be taken by the Organised Labour | File Photo

Hours after GhanaWeb published a report to the effect that its sources had shared information that the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has not agreed to join the Organised Labour in its planned Thursday, October 10, 2024, strike, an official statement has confirmed this.

In a statement from the GMA, it stated that the professional body has taken a decision not to be involved in the class action being taken by the Organised Labour.

The statement signed by Dr. Frank Serebour, President of the Ghana Medical Association, and dated October 8, 2024, urged all its members to remain at their posts and to go about their daily duties without any changes.

“The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has not declared roadmap for an industrial action.

“Therefore, all members are expected to continue providing full services without interruptions,” the statement said in part.

The GMA, however, said it is in solidarity with the Organised Labour concerning its action.

“The GMA however, is in solidarity with the Organized Labour in this fight against Galamsey.

“The National Executive Council (NEC) will give further information when necessary,” it added.

What GhanaWeb earlier reported:

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) will not participate in the upcoming strike announced by Organised Labour to push the government to crack down on illegal mining by banning all forms of mining in forest reserves, GhanaWeb is reliably informed.

According to the website’s sources, who want to remain anonymous, at the meeting of the association’s leadership to decide whether to join the protest or not, a total of 15 out of 21 persons voted against the decision to proceed on strike.

One person abstained, and five voted for the strike action, the sources added.

It is the position of the GMA that they want pragmatic solutions to the galamsey menace; however, a mere declaration of strike does not sustainably resolve the galamsey issues.

According to the sources, three key points were raised at the meeting, among many others.

Though the GMA is aware of the health risks that galamsey presents, this complex issue demands a sustained, collective effort.

Therefore, the body of medical doctors wants all stakeholders to come together and create a roadmap to address the galamsey menace comprehensively.

“This is a commitment that the government and all other political actors must make in dealing with the issue. The GMA believes this roadmap will end the blame game and provide a clear call to action that any party in power must adhere to.

“The GMA also believes that abandoning patients who need healthcare to embark on strike would not be right and justified,” one of them said.

According to another source, “It does not make sense to condemn our current patients to death just to protect our future patients. It is simply unconscionable to deny people on dialysis, in emergency units, etc, our services.”

Another reason the GMA will not join the strike is because, unlike in previous years, the association’s input was not sought during the decision-making process, they indicated

This has left the GMA unhappy about being sidelined in important discussions regarding Organised Labour strikes.

GhanaWeb’s sources further say the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) will not participate in the strike if the GMA stays away as they work hand-in-hand. 

Meanwhile, Organised Labour is still set to embark on a strike on Thursday, October 10.

This follows a crucial meeting on Tuesday to deliberate on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo‘s request for more time to address their demands regarding the issue.

“We are of the view that what the government has proposed does not adequately address our demands, and therefore, our notice of strike remains unchanged,” the leadership said.

On October 3, President Akufo-Addo appealed to Organised Labour during a meeting, asking them to reconsider the strike.

The president told labour leaders that his administration is committed to addressing the damage that illegal mining, or galamsey, causes to the environment.

He said that dealing with this urgent national issue required unity.

However, Organised Labour participants decided that the government’s assurance was insufficient.

On the back of this, “our notice of strike remains unchanged,” they said.

In order to combat illicit mining, Organised Labour demanded that a state of emergency be declared, that L.I. 2462 be revoked, and that the military be sent to forest and water bodies.