Ghanaian doctors resume work after 3-week nationwide strike

Ghanaian public sector doctors resumed work across the country on Monday, three weeks after embarking on a nationwide strike.

Members of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) embarked on the strike on July 29, by withdrawing all Out-Patient Department (OPD) care to back their demand for a codified condition of service.

The doctors moved the strike a step further by refusing to attend to emergency cases from August 7 when the government was unable to meet their demands.

The executive council of the association however called off the strike last Friday, attributing the decision to numerous appeals from traditional and religious leaders as well as other well-meaning Ghanaians and groups.

Reports monitored here said the OPDs in the major hospitals around the regional capitals were filled with patients as doctors resumed work.

Patients were happy to see the doctors back to post.

Meanwhile, negotiations for the doctors' demand for codified condition of service re-started on Monday.

The Minister of Employment and Labor Relations Haruna Iddrisu, has described the doctors' decision to call off the strike as undoubtedly welcoming news.

The government said it expects to clinch a deal with the GMA by the end of October.