The Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has cautioned the President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Perpetual Ofori Ampofo, against allowing partisan influences to cloud the Association’s ongoing negotiations with the government.

Mr. Koomson’s warning follows a renewed ultimatum issued by the GRNMA, demanding full implementation of its Conditions of Service (CoS) by the end of July 2025, or risk another industrial action.

The ultimatum was announced at a press conference in Accra after the government postponed a scheduled meeting with the GRNMA that was originally planned for June 26, 2025.

The rescheduled session was to bring together representatives of the government, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, and GRNMA leaders, following the Association’s suspension of a previous nationwide strike on June 13.

Mr. Koomson expressed disappointment with the tone of GRNMA’s renewed demands, describing them as counterproductive and lacking the spirit of good-faith engagement.

“The President of GRNMA must be spoken to,” Mr. Koomson stated. “Issuing another ultimatum at a time when the meeting was postponed due to key stakeholders being out of the country shows bad faith.

We must not allow emotions or partisan sentiment to override sound negotiation.”

Mr. Koomson urged the GRNMA to prioritise dialogue and constructive engagement over confrontational tactics, warning that politicising union activities could undermine the Association’s credibility and long-term cooperation with state agencies.

“Labour negotiations should be free from political interference.

When union actions appear to be politically driven, it casts doubt on the legitimacy of their demands and weakens the moral authority of their leadership,” he emphasised.

The GRNMA, however, has said the government’s postponement of the June 26 meeting raises serious concerns about its sincerity in resolving the impasse.

The Association maintains that its demands are legitimate and long overdue.

While acknowledging the critical role nurses and midwives play in Ghana’s health system, Mr. Koomson insisted that continued dialogue remains the best way forward.

“We’re all working toward a better health system. The demands of nurses and midwives are valid and deserve attention.

But this must be pursued through respectful and apolitical channels. Let’s not allow union leadership to be misused for partisan agendas,” he concluded.

He made this remark speaking on Ahotor FM’s Yepe Ahunu show on Saturday.