Use strike action as last resort - Ofosu Ampofo

Koforidua, Nov 17, GNA - Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, on Wednesday appealed to nurses to always abide by their code of ethics and use strike actions as a last resort in seeking redress. "You should exercise a lot of patience in your demands for improved conditions of service since more often than not strike actions on your part lead to loss of lives," he said.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was receiving executive members of the Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GNRA), led by their President, Mrs Alice Darkoa Asare-Allotey, in his office, in Koforidua. He urged them to use dialogue a lot in matters concerning their remuneration and commended them for the cordial relationship that has existed between the association and the government so far. The regional minister indicated that the government was aware of the challenges facing nurses and reiterated its commitment to improve their lot. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo commended those of them who decided to stay in the country to help deliver quality health care to the people and assured them that their sacrifices would not go un-rewarded. He urged the nursing institutions to collaborate effectively with the various Municipal and District Assemblies to provide the necessary infrastructure for them.

Mrs Asare-Allotey, on her part, noted that the image of the nursing profession is not the best and said the association was, therefore, reaching out to educate members to abide by their professional ethics. She thanked the regional minister for the efforts he was making to ensure that nurses in the area are well accommodated. Mrs Asare-Allotey, however, appealed to the Municipal and District assemblies to solicit for funds to put up more housing units for nurses to entice them to stay in their areas. She also appealed to the assemblies to help improve road network in their areas to make it possible for pregnant women to be transported to nearby clinics and hospitals to have safe deliveries. 17 Nov. 10