Ghana Nurses Sustain Strike Over Unimplemented Agreement Terms

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Ghana Nurses Sustain Strike Over Unimplemented Agreement Terms

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association has refused to renegotiate terms of its 2024 Collective Agreement but expressed willingness to meet with the Health Ministry.

The strike, ongoing since June 4, 2025, stems from the government’s failure to implement agreed allowances, incentives, and working condition improvements.

GRNMA Greater Accra Chairman Jefferson Asare stated on Citi FM: “We are ready to meet anywhere… But for renegotiation, we are not ready.” He emphasized nurses and midwives are the only health professionals without implemented service conditions despite broader sector challenges.

New Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh appealed for calm and dialogue. The strike has reduced outpatient services nationwide, straining public hospitals and delaying urgent patient care. Health advocacy groups urge swift resolution to alleviate pressure on Ghana’s healthcare system.

This marks GRNMA’s third major strike since 2023 over unimplemented agreements, highlighting systemic challenges in Ghana’s public sector labor dispute resolution mechanisms despite existing arbitration frameworks.

Labor Consultant Critiques Nurses’ Strike Procedure

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Labor Consultant Critiques Nurses’ Strike Procedure

Industrial relations expert Austin Gamey has advised the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association to reconsider its ongoing strike, asserting proper negotiation protocols were bypassed.

Speaking during a Morning Starr radio interview, Gamey emphasized that GRNMA operates under specific labor laws requiring direct negotiation between original parties for service condition changes.

“No other person, not even the president of Ghana can vary agreed terms,” Gamey stated, clarifying that adjustments require engagement through established industrial relations channels. He noted the union previously consulted him to avoid strikes but had not done so in this instance.

Gamey acknowledged his current non-involvement while maintaining availability for advisory insight. The comments follow GRNMA’s nationwide strike over unmet conditions of service demands.

Ghana’s Labor Act requires unions to exhaust negotiation and arbitration procedures before initiating strikes, with recent industrial actions testing compliance enforcement mechanisms.

Usyk Invites Trump to Ukraine to Witness War Impact

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Usyk Invites Trump to Ukraine to Witness War Impact

Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has publicly urged former U.S. President Donald Trump to experience Ukraine’s wartime reality firsthand.

During a BBC interview with Piers Morgan, the boxer proposed Trump spend a week at his Ukrainian residence to understand daily bombardments.

“President Trump, open your eyes. Please stop the war in Ukraine,” Usyk stated, emphasizing the conflict concerns human survival rather than political negotiation. He rejected territorial concessions: “Why should we give away even a piece of our land? This is our home. Our people live here. It’s non-negotiable.”

The athlete described nightly bomb sirens at his home, adding: “Come live in my home for a week. Every night we hear bombs. You’ll understand what we’re going through.” Usyk continues training for his upcoming bout against Britain’s Daniel Dubois while maintaining focus on Ukraine’s situation: “We’re not just fighting for titles—we’re fighting for our lives, our families, and our future.”

Usyk’s appeal reflects Ukrainian athletes’ increasing role as wartime advocates, occurring amid stalled U.S. aid packages and Trump’s repeated claims he could resolve the conflict within 24 hours if reelected.

NPP Members Challenge Agyapong’s Flagbearer Comments

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NPP Members Challenge Agyapong’s Flagbearer Comments

New Patriotic Party members have criticized former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong’s remarks regarding the party’s 2028 flagbearer selection.

Agyapong stated during an Ashanti Region meeting that Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia should not lead the NPP again after the party’s 2024 electoral defeat, citing historical precedents including Professor Adu Boahen’s single candidacy after loss.

“President Kufuor campaigned four months with impressive results for a second chance. Akufo-Addo secured 49.3% in his second attempt,” Agyapong argued. “When someone loses by over two million votes, how can they be given another chance?”

Unnamed NPP members questioned Agyapong’s standing to make these claims, noting he failed to retain his parliamentary seat in 2024. Critics within the party contend his interventions prioritize personal interests over collective party objectives.

The dispute reflects ongoing NPP succession debates following their 2024 electoral loss, with historical candidate performance becoming a central reference point in leadership qualifications.

Ghana Stock Index Rises After Active Trading Week

Roger A. Agana
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Ghana Stock Index Rises After Active Trading Week

The Ghana Stock Exchange Composite Index closed at 6,004.72 on June 5, 2025, gaining 15.57 points during a holiday-shortened trading week.

The index has risen 22.83% year-to-date, while the Financial Stocks Index increased 2.57 points to 3,244.82, reflecting 36.29% annual growth.

Trading activity peaked on Wednesday with over 5.7 million shares exchanged, while both Wednesday and Thursday exceeded GHC 16 million in trade value. Market capitalization settled at GHC 134.13 billion on Thursday’s close.

Notable gains included NewGold ETF (GHC 4.79 to GHC 363.67), Standard Chartered Bank (GHC 0.07 to GHC 26.27), and MTN Ghana (GHC 0.01 to GHC 2.82). Fan Milk PLC, GCB Bank, Ghana Oil Company, and TotalEnergies Ghana also recorded minor increases. The exchange operated only four days due to a public holiday on Friday.

The sustained index growth continues a 2025 trend of capital market recovery, with financial stocks significantly outperforming the broader market amid stable macroeconomic conditions.

Ghana Moves to Revive Oil Sector After Production Halves

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Ghana Moves to Revive Oil Sector After Production Halves

Ghana’s oil output has declined by nearly 50% since its 2019 peak, prompting the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and government to implement new investor incentives.

Production fell below 120,000 barrels per day from a high of 195,750 barrels, attributed to reduced drilling and missed exploration opportunities worth approximately $1 billion.

Annual drilling rates dropped from five wells (2008-2014) to one well (2016-2022), as existing financial terms deterred investment. GNPC Acting CEO Kwame Ntow Amoah identified unfavorable policies as the primary constraint, noting competing African nations advanced while Ghana’s oil-inclusive GDP underperformed non-oil GDP.

New measures include revised royalties, tax incentives, and profit-sharing structures developed with the Petroleum Commission and Ministry of Energy. Early results emerged this month with a license extension agreement for the West Cape Three Points and Deep Water Tano blocks. The deal, involving Tullow Oil, Kosmos Energy, PetroSA, and GNPC subsidiary Explorco, includes plans for 20 new Jubilee field wells potentially attracting $2 billion investment.

Exploration activities are projected to increase from 2026, aiming to stabilize and eventually grow production. The initiatives target reversing what industry analysts describe as Ghana’s “lost decade” in petroleum development.

Ghana’s rapid transition from 2007 discovery to 2010 production initially positioned it as Africa’s fastest-growing oil economy before policy and investment challenges triggered the sustained decline now being addressed.

Fuel Prices Drop Ahead of Ghana’s New Energy Levy

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Fuel Prices Drop Ahead of Ghana’s New Energy Levy

Ghanaian fuel consumers saw reduced pump prices on June 9, 2025, as state-owned Goil decreased Super XP petrol to GH¢12.38 per litre (from GH¢12.52) and Diesel XP to GH¢12.88 (from GH¢12.98).

This reduction precedes the June 16 implementation of a new GH¢1 per litre energy sector levy approved by Parliament last week.

The levy amendment aims to address Ghana’s $3.1 billion energy sector debt. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson stated the government requires approximately $3.7 billion to resolve the legacy debt, which threatens sector stability. The initial June 9 implementation was postponed to June 16 following a request from the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC), citing transitional challenges.

Market analysts suggest the current price reduction may partially offset the levy’s impact. The cedi’s ongoing appreciation against major currencies contributed to the fuel price decrease, with industry expectations that other oil marketing companies will match Goil’s pricing.

This marks the second fuel price reduction in three weeks, reflecting currency gains while highlighting the government’s balancing act between consumer relief and resolving chronic energy sector debt accumulated since 2020.

Lordina Mahama Promotes Mahama Cares Health Programme

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Lordina Mahama Promotes Mahama Cares Health Programme

Ghana’s First Lady Lordina Mahama has urged citizens with chronic non-communicable diseases to utilize the upcoming Mahama Cares health initiative.

Speaking at a medical screening for retired Assemblies of God ministers in Accra on June 7, 2025, she explained the Ghana Medical Trust Fund programme aims to address healthcare gaps, particularly for conditions inadequately covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme.

“This programme will ensure regular care for people battling long-term illnesses, and it places a strong emphasis on preventive healthcare at the community level,” Mahama stated during the event at Ringway Gospel Centre. Over 145 retirees received screenings for blood sugar, cancer, prostate health, and general wellness, with urologists, gynaecologists, dietitians, and general practitioners providing personalized medical advice and medications.

The quarterly screening initiative fulfills a September 2024 commitment by Mahama’s foundation. Reverend Dr Harry Insaidoo, President of the Retired Ministers and Spouses Association, acknowledged the support: “Every three months, doctors thoroughly examine you, prescribe medications, and offer guidance. This is one of the most impactful interventions we’ve received.”

The community-focused Mahama Cares programme, preparing for implementation, targets management of chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. This aligns with the Lordina Foundation’s ongoing efforts to expand healthcare access for underserved populations, including former public service contributors.

Kofi Adomah Returns to Work After Eye Injury Recovery

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Kofi Adomah Returns to Work After Eye Injury Recovery

Ghanaian journalist Kofi Adomah Nwanwani has resumed professional duties following recovery from a severe eye injury sustained while covering the Dormaa Festival.

The incident caused significant trauma that threatened his vision, requiring extended medical treatment and absence from work and social media.

Adomah confirmed his recovery through his first social media post since the accident, signaling readiness to resume his media career. Colleagues and fans across Ghana welcomed his return, praising his resilience and commitment to journalism.

The injury occurred during unexpected accident coverage at the cultural event, according to statements from his media organization. Medical professionals supervised his rehabilitation process before clearing him for professional duties.

Adomah hosts one of Ghana’s highest-rated current affairs programs, making his injury and recovery a matter of significant public interest in West African media circles.

 

Trump’s Travel Ban Bars Citizens From 12 Nations

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Trump’s Travel Ban Bars Citizens From 12 Nations

President Donald Trump’s expanded immigration order prohibiting entry for citizens from 12 designated nations took effect Monday, June 9, 2025.

The policy triggered nationwide protests and legal challenges while drawing condemnation from human rights organizations as one of the broadest immigration restrictions enacted in years.

The ban fully bars nationals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Citizens of seven additional countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—face partial restrictions primarily affecting nonimmigrant visas. The order applies at all U.S. ports of entry and consular offices but does not revoke existing valid visas.

Airport operations proceeded without significant disruption, contrasting with the chaotic implementation of Trump’s 2017 travel ban. Immigration analysts attribute this stability to refined legal language focusing on administrative vetting processes. “Unlike 2017, this ban was built with legal survival in mind,” stated a senior immigration law analyst.

Trump defended the policy citing national security concerns and “deficient passport screening” from countries with high visa overstay rates. He referenced a recent Colorado hate crime involving a foreign national, though the suspect was from Egypt, a country not included in the ban.

Massive protests erupted in multiple cities, including Los Angeles where National Guard deployment prompted California’s governor to condemn federal overreach. Abby Maxman, President of Oxfam America, declared: “This policy is not about national security; it is about sowing division and vilifying communities seeking safety and opportunity in the United States.”

Haitian and Afghan citizens face near-total bans with narrow exemptions for those supporting U.S. missions. Venezuelans confront heightened restrictions including rapid deportations, with reports indicating some detainees were transferred to a facility in El Salvador. Trump warned additional countries could be added as global threats evolve.

The 2025 ban expands upon earlier iterations repeatedly challenged in federal courts, reflecting ongoing tension between executive immigration powers and constitutional protections against discrimination.

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