GRNMA executive member backs abolition of delegate system

A growing debate within the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) over its delegate electoral system has generated mixed reactions among members, with some advocating for reforms instead of a complete dismantling of the structure.

Commenting on concerns raised by critics of the delegate system, Mr Moses Salifu Duut, the Upper East Regional Second Vice Chairman of the GRNMA, in a statement, argued that comparisons between the GRNMA structure and political party primaries were misplaced.

According to him, the ongoing Supreme Court case challenging delegate systems in political party primaries related specifically to political organisations, which differed fundamentally from professional associations such as the GRNMA.

“Political parties are voluntary ideological bodies, whereas GRNMA is a professional association with near-mandatory membership for practicing nurses.

“The framers of the GRNMA constitution deliberately adopted the delegate system to balance representation, efficiency, and institutional continuity,” he stated.

Mr Duut challenged assertions by some members of the association in the region that a small group of “executive-dominated delegates” controlled leadership outcomes within the association.

While acknowledging that national and regional executives formed part of the delegate body, the Second Vice Chairman stressed that the executives were themselves elected by the broader membership.

He noted that many regional council representatives were frontline nurses elected from districts across the country, rather than political loyalists.

Supporters of the current structure argue that the delegate system allowed experienced representatives who understood the association’s nationwide operations and negotiations with the government to make informed decisions on leadership.

The executive member explained that supporters of the structure also contended that the implementation of a direct voting system for over 120,000 members would present significant logistical and financial challenges, including voter verification, polling management, and ballot counting.

Addressing claims that executives influence outcomes in favour of preferred candidates, Mr Duut, in the statement, argued that GRNMA executives were not a unified bloc and often represented diverse regional and professional interests.

“Executives who work closely with national leaders are often better positioned to assess the competence and integrity of candidates beyond campaign promises and manifestos,” he added.

Mr Duut, who is also a tutor at the Nursing Training College in Bolgatanga, further rejected suggestions that the delegate system was responsible for the difficult working conditions facing nurses and midwives across the country.

He noted that challenges such as understaffing, low salaries, and poor working conditions largely stemmed from government funding constraints and broader health sector management issues rather than the association’s electoral structure.

He emphasised that the GRNMA constitution was amendable and provided mechanisms for members to propose reforms through regional conferences, national council deliberations, and referenda.

Rather than abolishing the delegate system entirely, the Regional Executive advocated reforms aimed at improving accountability and representation.

He suggested reforms including the expansion of regional council representation, shortened executive terms, and the introduction of stronger direct feedback mechanisms for ordinary members.

“Delegates are not the enemy of democracy; they are democracy’s workable expression in a large, dispersed professional body,” Mr Duut said.

The Second Vice Chairman’s comments came amid ongoing discussions among some members within the nursing fraternity about governance reforms and leadership accountability within the GRNMA.