Godwin Amarh, the group’s General Secretary, argued that small-scale mining is distinct from illegal mining activities, particularly those that pollute water bodies.
He stressed the importance of differentiating between the two before labeling all small-scale mining as illegal.
Health professionals have recently called on President Akufo-Addo to enforce a ban on small-scale mining due to rising health issues, including respiratory and waterborne diseases in communities affected by illegal mining, or ‘galamsey.’
Amarh clarified that small-scale mining typically occurs within legally designated areas and not near rivers.
He pointed out that individuals operating in or near water bodies are likely engaged in illegal activities rather than legitimate small-scale mining.
“In small-scale mining, we do not work on river bodies. Anyone you see on a river body is not a small-scale miner. Any person you see by the roadside working close to a river is not a small-scale miner. These are illegal miners.”
The Association has reportedly made efforts to mitigate environmental damage, such as significantly reducing water turbidity in the Bei River from around 2000 NTU to approximately 50 NTU within weeks.
While acknowledging that some small-scale miners might not fully comply with regulations, Amarh emphasized that the sector as a whole should not be penalized for the actions of a few.
He compared this to other professions, where occasional lapses are inevitable, suggesting that a blanket ban would unfairly impact responsible miners.
“There are people who, in one way or another, fall victim to the defects of their industry, so I would not claim that small-scale miners are a hundred percent adhering to everything.
“We cannot say we have everyone doing everything hundred percent. The same way we have journalists, doctors—they work and there are mistakes; issues also happen. So, I am not holding brief for any small mining that the sector does not have any challenge in terms of environmental issues by one or two people.”
Professor Dr. Ernest Yorke, Vice President of the Ghana Medical Association, has issued a strong warning about the serious consequences of illegal mining, or “galamsey,” if swift action is not taken to address its growing impact.
During an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile on September 7, 2024, he emphasized how galamsey activities are contaminating the country’s water sources, posing a significant threat to public health.
“And the reason I am afraid to continue doing so is because, the arsenic and the mercury that may have gotten into this grass cutter that you are enjoying is non-biodegradable. So, the plants and animals that get contaminated from the poisoned soils and water, it stays within them and it gets passed on,” he lamented.
Professor Yorke expressed concerns about the potential contamination of food and livestock with toxic chemicals such as arsenic and mercury, which could heighten the risk of various diseases in Ghana.
He shared a personal anecdote, noting how he now reconsiders consuming meals that may be contaminated by pollutants from these illegal mining activities.
Highlighting that the impact of galamsey extends beyond mining regions, Professor Yorke warned that even those living in cities like Accra are not immune to its dangers.
“…there are tons of publications that suggest that it [galamsey] has gone beyond just the immediate environs of the galamsey area and it is coming to town. So, if you live in Accra and you think that you are safe, I can tell you if you go to Agbogbloshie, Mallam Atta market to buy food it is coming home and the dire consequence, we may not have seen it now but in the long term its going to affect your kidneys,” Professor Dr. Yorke stressed.
Pollutants are seeping into food sources sold at markets, and the long-term effects could be severe, particularly in terms of kidney health.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has instructed all medical doctors to join a nationwide strike starting on Monday, July 15, 2024, as part of Organised Labour‘s declared industrial action.
The GMA’s statement on July 12, 2024, emphasizes the demand for Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to cease the sale of 60% of its shares in four hotels.
The National Executive Council (NEC), following an emergency meeting, has outlined the following schedule for the strike:
July 15-17, 2024: Out Patient Department (OPD) services will be withdrawn. July 18-21, 2024: Emergency services will be withdrawn. From July 22, 2024 onwards: Total withdrawal of all services.
The Vice President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Professor Dr. Ernest Yorke, has responded to media reports concerning a purported disclosure of musician Kuame Eugene’s medical condition by an individual claiming to be a doctor associated with the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).
The original post, attributed to a person identified as Dr. Amina Haarun and dated March 18, 2024, on X platform, stated, “Kuame Eugene is here at the hospital with us and ain’t looking good. Kindly send him a prayer.”
Subsequently, the same individual expressed acceptance of the suspension of her license due to ethical breaches and issued an apology to the public.
In his statement, Prof. Dr. Ernest Yorke clarified that the individual in question is not affiliated with the Ghana Medical Association.
Furthermore, investigations revealed that she is not employed at UGMC and is not registered with the Medical and Dental Council, the regulatory body for medical practitioners in Ghana.
Prof. Yorke underscored the medical profession’s commitment to patient confidentiality as a fundamental ethical principle ingrained in training and practice.
“The Hippocratic oath enjoins all doctors to maintain patient confidentiality even after the death of the patient. He quickly admitted that there however, exceptional circumstances that patient information may be divulged as may be permitted by law,” the GMA vice president said.
He acknowledged that there are exceptional circumstances where patient information may be disclosed, as permitted by law.
Citing the Hippocratic oath, which binds doctors to maintain patient confidentiality even after death, Prof. Yorke emphasized the importance of upholding this principle.
He urged the public to disregard the malicious publications aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the medical profession and called upon law enforcement to investigate the impostor and ascertain the motives behind the publications.
President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Frank Serebour has advocated for a boost in the per-patient allocation under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover escalating hospital utility bills.
The current practice, where health facility directors settle water and electricity expenses from NHIS claims and internally generated funds, is deemed unsustainable by Dr. Serebour.
“Initially, government was paying our utility bills. Once the government has decided not to pay, realistic tariffs that factors in the cost of electricity and water should be paid,” Dr. Frank Serebour stated in an interview on Abusua FM.
His call comes at a time the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is pursuing some 91 hospitals for owing them about Ghc261 million in debt.
“The current situation is challenging, with entities like the Electricity Company of Ghana requiring their payments while hospitals are facing unprecedented hard times,” he stressed.
Highlighting the strain faced by hospitals, particularly those in remote areas heavily reliant on NHIS, Dr. Serebour emphasised the need for realistic tariffs that account for utility costs.
“How can I manage the facility with the remaining amount left? It’s not possible,” he noted.
He pointed out that facilities like the Bekwai Government Hospital spend a significant portion of NHIS claims on electricity alone, leaving inadequate funds for overall management.
“These are government-owned facilities, measures should be put in place so that the government can pay these bills on behalf of the people, or tariffs are adjusted in such a way that Insurance money will cover them because we’re all contributing to the payment,” he noted.
Expressing concern over the mounting debts owed by hospitals to entities like the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Dr. Serebour warned of dire consequences for healthcare delivery unless the government addresses utility bill payments for essential public services.
In addition to urging transparent processes for NHIS fund collection and allocation, Dr. Serebour proposed a thorough reassessment of the system to ensure sustainability and fair distribution of resources among stakeholders.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has made a concerning revelation, identifying individuals displaying symptoms of diarrhea residing in the emergency shelters designated for those impacted by the overflow of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams.
The Acting General Secretary of the GMA, Dr. Richard Selormey, disclosed this during an interview on Eyewitness News, which was broadcast on Citi FM.
Dr. Selormey explained that the Association had deployed a team to assist in the rescue operations in the affected regions and encountered several individuals suffering from diarrhoea and bilharzia.
“We mobilized a team of about twenty-two people, collaborating with the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association and a clinical psychologist who also volunteered from the 37 Military Hospital. They went on the ground on Tuesday and divided themselves into six different teams at the six different shelters. They are offering health education, screening, and treatment of the people,” said Dr. Selormey.
“We have noted that the most common thing being found is people having malaria as well as skin diseases and respiratory conditions because most of the centres are holding a lot of people at a go and people are in close contact. We have also noticed that there are a few people beginning to show signs of diarrhea diseases and about two people are also showing signs of bilharzia,” he added.
Dr. Selormey went on to issue a warning about the potential outbreak of waterborne diseases and urged the affected population to adhere to safety protocols while they await the arrival of relief supplies.
“Our concern is the breakout of diarrheal diseases. That can be a big problem because it can quickly spread. And then also because of the crowding, respiratory tract infections. So key is the protocols we highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic which has to do with handwashing practices and advising the people not to touch things and making sure that there is good water available,” said Dr. Selormey.
Communities downstream of the Volta Lake should brace themselves as the spilling of excess water from the Akosombo Dam will continue for at least one more week.
A key representative body of doctors in Ghana, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) continues to lament the devastating impact of the increased migration of Ghanaian nurses to pursue employment opportunities in the healthcare sectors of other nations.
GMA is unhappy about the trend and has therefore asked the government to swiftly take action, which includes urgently absorbing the teeming unemployed nurses in the country, to avert the trend.
Expressing displeasure over the situation, the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Chairman of the GMA, Dr Alex Egotey, bemoaned the high numbers of trained nurses who still remain at home “having no job to do.”
He, however, said that these health workers play an essential role in health delivery in the country, stressing that “the doctor cannot go to work without the nurse,” thereby, calling for urgent measures to be taken to address the matter.
He further said it was unfortunate and disheartening that many nurses had been in the house since 2019 without jobs, and appealed to the government to employ them.
“I do not blame the nurses who are traveling abroad because they also need to make a living. They must also do something to earn a decent living, so if there is an opportunity, they must go”, he said.
Data from the Ghana Registered Nurses’ and Midwives’ Association (GRNMA) says nearly 4,000 nurses left the country and emigrated to the West in 2022. It pegs the current emigration rate at about 500 every month.
The UK, Ireland, Australia, and Canada have become hotspots for the wave of Ghanaian health workers emigrating daily.
These countries are calling and Ghanaian nurses are answering loudly and leaving the shores of their motherland to seek better working conditions, flexible work schedules and better pay, leaving behind Ghana’s ailing health sector.
There still remains a huge number of communities that urgently need the services of these skilled workers, therefore, the situation is a huge threat to the country’s health sector. Suggesting a solution to this, Dr Alex Egotey said: “In fact, these thousands of nurses cannot continue to stay in the home and overburden their parents.
They also need to develop themselves and have a decent living. So, if we want the nurses to stay, then the government must give them jobs and improve the conditions of service as well.”
A former general secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Titus Beyuo, has said that he has been an official member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) since 2013.
According to him, he started as a student politician and was part of student unions while at the University of Ghana. However, he remained neutral because of the leadership positions he held.
“I became a card-bearing member of the NDC in 2013. Some NDC members, when they heard that I was standing on the ticket of the NDC were shocked because I was very hard on the NDC. But I needed to stay neutral because of the leadership roles I held. The only party card I have ever held is NDC,” he said on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Friday.
Dr Beyuo disclosed this after he picked forms to contest in parliamentary primaries of the NDC in theLambussie-Karni Constituency in the Upper West Region.
He said the decision was taken after a prolonged period of introspection and extensive consultations with family, friends and critical stakeholders.
“Arriving at this decision was an uphill task, but the support and encouragement received from my family, traditional leaders in the Lambussie Traditional Council, party leadership at the national, regional, constituency and branch levels, and friends during the consultative process, made this less difficult,” he stated.
Dr Beyuo has, therefore, promised to wrestle power from the New Patriotic Party and contribute to the developmental agenda of the next NDC government for the people of Ghana and Lambussie.
The Member of parliament for North Tongu,Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has received recognition from the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) for his efforts to develop the health industry in the Volta Region.
In a series of tweets shared on Sunday, February 5, 2023, the MP said that he is humbled and inspired by the gesture.
He expressed his gratitude to the GMA and his special public health advisor, Dr. Momodou Cham, who he said played a key role in his intervention in the health sector in the Volta Region.
“Sincerely, it is really humbling and deeply inspiring to know that the professionals and practitioners at the heart of health delivery have returned a positive verdict on my health interventions.
“This isn’t an individual accomplishment but a collective recognition; there wouldn’t be this award without my special public health advisor, Dr. Momodou Cham, our dynamic volunteers, our numerous donors both home and abroad, patients and healthcare workers who boldly tell us their needs, the many doctors and nurses who accept our outreach invitations, community leaders, party activists and strategic partners,” parts of the tweet read.
The tweets included a video of the MP receiving the award amid resounding applause and a standing ovation.
View the tweets plus a video of Ablakwa receiving the award below:
Last night I received a medal of honour and a citation from the prestigious Ghana Medical Association (Volta/Oti Division) for what they described as my “outstanding contributions to the advancement of the health sector.”
Dr. Momodou Cham, our dynamic volunteers, our numerous donors both home and abroad, patients and healthcare workers who boldly tell us their needs, the many doctors and nurses who accept our outreach invitations, community leaders, party activists and strategic partners.— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) February 5, 2023
Members of the Korle Bu Doctors Association (KODA) have threatened to lay down their tools.
According to the doctors, the management of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has exhibited bad faith by failing to meet the agreed deadline on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Ministry of Health regarding the 13th-month salary payment.
They accused the management of refusing to heed the content of their letter dated 13th December 2022 not to make any unilateral payment of 25 percent on the arrears unless a clear timeline for payment for the rest of the arrears has been agreed upon.
“The management of Korbu refused to meet its own deadline of ‘reverting with the timelines for the settlements of the outstanding amount by 27th January 2023’ as captured in its letter to KODA dated 3rd January 2023.
“Beginning the 30th of January to 5th of February 2023, KODA expects management to come out with clear timelines for the payment of the arrears and to make this payment centralized one instead of departmental after all every payment goes into a central pool.
“If nothing is received KODA members would withdraw service to the Outpatient department as well as elective surgeries and procedures. This will commence on 6th February to 10th February 2023,” the road map for the strike said.
It added “if nothing is heard from the 13th of February onwards emergencies would be refused till all inpatients are discharged.
“It is the hope of KODA executives that this would be given its desired attention.”
Public sector workers are left with mixed feelings as to whether they will be receiving their Cost of Living Allowance with the commencement of a new year.
The 15% Cost of Living Allowance, which was introduced last year to cushion public sector workers against the economic hardship expired in December 2022.
In a report on Joy News’ AM Show, it was revealed by the President of Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Frank Serebour that, they are not expecting the allowance this month (January) as issues regarding extension of same are yet to be discussed.
The president of the association also noted that, salaries of public sector workers will see a 15% dip should government decide not to extend the allowance.
“The issue of COLA has not even been discussed and as we speak, January, essentially COLA will not be paid because we have not agreed on the fact that COLA should be paid because COLA was supposed to end in December. So the 15% will go off and if we are not able to conclude, that’d essentially mean that salaries of public sector workers will see a 15% dip, so we need to conclude,” Dr. Frank Serebour said.
However, President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwifery Association (GRNMA), Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo expects the allowance to be paid.
She said that, the cost of living allowance should run till they are done with a base pay negotiation.
“…we are all expecting, is for the ‘COLA to run, until we are done with the base pay negotiations and then, the directive is given to Controller to implement. Then, I think we will have some peace,” she stated.
She also added that the payment of the allowance is necessary to avert any possible agitations.
In opposition to the government’s proposed Debt Exchange Program, the country’s health sector workers have released a strike action schedule.
The health sector workers, made up of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), the Health Sector Workers’ Union (HSWU) of TUC Ghana, and the Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA), all constituent members of Organised Labour, reiterated that following a meeting held by Organised Labour on Monday, December 19, 2022, it was agreed that an industrial strike will be embarked on.
It stressed that the “action has become necessary to press home our demand for the exemption of pension funds from the domestic debt exchange programme as announced by the Finance Minister.”
It, therefore, entreated all health sector workers “to follow the outlined road map to ensure a smooth implementation of the strike.”
According to the health sector workers, the industrial strike will take place as follows: “27 December 2022, withdrawal of all outpatient services; 2 January 2023, withdrawal of emergency services; 9 January 2023, withdrawal of all services.”
Organised Labour has served notice of a nationwide strike beginning next week over the government’s failure to exempt pension funds from the debt exchange programme that has been extended to next year.
The stipulated date for the strike is Tuesday, December 27, 2022.
The Secretary-General of Organised Labour, Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, made this known at a press briefing today, Monday, December 19, 2022.
He said the strike has been occasioned by the government’s decision to introduce a debt exchange programme.
According to him, the strike will be in force until the government exempts pension funds from the planned debt exchange programme.
“We are asking the government to exempt us from the debt exchange programme.
“We have already told the world that if the government doesn’t do that, we will advise ourselves.
“Today, we are here to announce the advice. The advice is very simple.
“We have all agreed that because the government has refused to grant our request, we have decided firmly that all workers of Ghana are going to strike on December 27, 2022, and we will be on strike until our demands are met,” Dr Yaw Baah vehemently noted.
He claims that in order to reach an agreement, nations and institutions that have undertaken debt restructuring have consulted investors and creditors.
However, in the instance of Ghana, the proposed initiative has faced strong opposition because, according to stakeholders, they weren’t consulted.
The Ghana Chamber of Trustees, the Ghana Medical Association, and the Trades Union Congress were among the organisations and unions that strongly opposed the initiative.
Bright Simons in a series of tweets on December 9, 2022, said “1 week after presenting creditors an offer to restructure Ghana’s debt, the govt is facing rejection by those who hold ~70% of the debt:
1. Securities dealers & funds
2. Private banks.
3. Insurance schemes
4. Pension funds
5. Non-resident investors
With 10 days b4 the deadline”
He further said that the “Success rate in sovereign debt restructuring is 90%+ so govt has a long way to go. It may have to contend with a “Dominica situation” where the process ended up taking months. Expert Trebesch shows that virtually all recent restructurings have been co-designed with creditors.
“Thus Ghana’s “take it or leave it” model with no menu of options to suit different creditor circumstances is highly unusual. Even stranger is the total lack of creditor input in the design of the program. Another serious credibility crisis is now brewing for govt,” he added.
His worries are in response to the government’s statement that it will restructure its debts.
He says that affecting the workers’ already subpar pensions will have a detrimental effect on their standard of living.
“Pensions in this country are quite awful,” he said. “If you look at the budget itself, we’re told that the cedi has depreciated by over 53%.
In essence, if you currently have 1000 Ghana cedis, the value of your holdings is less than 53%.
“And so, if you look at our pensions that are already suffering and we’re going to go through this process of debt restructuring with even in terms of bonds yielding zero percentage points come 2023 and the 5% 2024 and then 10% and so forth and so on. It is quite a problem,” he is quoted by myjoyonline.com.
“My own Ministry, which is the Ministry of Health, as we speak, three ministers, that is a substantive Minister and two deputies. Is there no way we can cut? So essentially government has not shown that we are in crisis,” he added.
UTAG joins those opposing the debt exchange program in saying, “Don’t touch our money.”
The debt exchange program that the government launched on December 5, 2022 has drawn the attention of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
As they have spent years saving for their retirement, the Union claims that the government shouldn’t in any manner affect their pension savings.
“Our opinion is that our money should not be touched, pensions of our members and Ghanaians should not be affected as a result of the debt exchange programme because these are monies that they have legitimately contributed for their entire working lives, and they should be allowed to enjoy it while they are in pension,” Dr. Asare Asante-Annor, National Secretary of UTAG was quoted by myjoyonline.com.
He also noted that members of the association should not be made to bear the brunt of the government’s “irresponsibility” while urging the president to reduce the size of government.
“We also ask the government to go ahead with measures which will also control their expenditure. We have a lot of local resources that we believe we should make use of it efficiently.
“We have also talked about the size of government to be reduced significantly so that we know that we all share the burden. Also, some of the flagship programmes will have to be looked at critically,” he said.
The debt exchange programme announced by the government has come under heavy opposition from various Associations and Unions including the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), and the Chamber of Trustees.
These unions have argued that the programme will not serve their best interest as their investments will be greatly affected.
President of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr. Frank Serebour, says the governmenthas not demonstrated that the nation is in a crisis, so organized labor should not be forced to bear the weight of the economic downturn.
He was speaking concerning the government’s debt exchange programme which has faced strong backlash from organized labour and civil society organsiations.
According to him, the failure of government to drastically reduce its expenditure by internalizing the austerity measures it seeks to impose on the general public was enough evidence to prove that the country might really not be in dire straits as being reported.
He noted that therefore, the government’s proposed application of the debt exchange programme on their pension funds is untenable and the Ghana Medical Association vehemently opposes it.
“Pensions in this country is very bad…If you take a look at the budget itself we’re told that the cedi has depreciated almost about 53%. Essentially if you have 1000ghana cedis currently, what you have actually in terms of value is less than 53%.
“And so if you look at our pensions that are already suffering and we’re going to go through this process of debt restructuring with even in terms of bonds yielding zero percentage points come 2023 and the 5% 2024 and then 10% and so forth and so on. It is quite a problem,” he said.
He noted that while the government was imposing austerity measures on the rest of Ghanaians, it was, on the other hand, still pursuing its vanity projects and maintaining its mammoth size.
“From all that we have heard this evening, even the cathedral, Evans, tell me what is it about the cathedral that we cannot decide that we have to do away with it for the meantime. What is it about it? What is it about the size of government that we can’t do anything about it?
“My own Ministry, which is the Ministry of Health, as we speak, three ministers, that is a substantive Minister and two deputies. Is there no way we can cut? So essentially government has not shown that we are in crisis.
“It is business as usual, and if you look at the budget as you indicated, everything else is increasing except the fact that the things that are supposed to affect worker and other citizens of Ghana they’re very happy to cut those things. Government flagship programmes, none of it has been affected.
“So essentially we don’t think that this is the time to use pensions as a leverage. Pensions at this time when clearly government has not demonstrated the fact that we’re in trouble. Clearly, we are not in trouble as far as we’re concerned so why come and touch pensions,” he stated.
Reacting to the Chamber of Corporate Trustees’ U-turn on the government’s debt exchange programme, Dr. Frank Serebour stressed that the GMA, as well as the rest of organized labour, will be sticking with the Chamber’s earlier stance.
The Chamber of Corporate Trustees had earlier opposed the government’s debt exchange programme, however, it has since backtracked on its stance and has instead called for negotiation between government and organized labour.
According to Dr. Serebour, any call for negotiation should be from the government and not from organized labour.
He said, the Finance Minister, and by extension, the government, has shown gross disrespect to stakeholders in the matter following their failure to engage them in any negotiations before announcing the policy.
As a result, the GMA and the rest of organized labour will continue to oppose the government’s planned debt exchange programme.
“And so I beg to differ from the position held by the Chamber of Corporate Trustees at the moment as you’re announcing to me that they’re willing to negotiate, I think the position should be clear. In fact we should not be calling for negotiations.
“Ideally it should have been the Finance Minister and I have said on several platforms that he doesn’t respect anyone that is the reason why he’s done what he has done. Otherwise how can you take this decision without involving the stakeholders and actually sitting at the table with them to at least pick their brains and find out how best we can resolve this issue and at least help this country?
“So I don’t subscribe to that, I think that Ghana Medical Association stands by its position that we don’t accept this and I’m sure that the other labour unions would hold the same view as I am holding this evening,” he said.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called for calm after the Ashanti Regional Director for the National Service Scheme, Alex Opoku-Mensah, verbally abused a nurse at the Manhyia District Hospital because of a reported dispute with his daughter, who is a junior doctor.
The GMA is worried that sharing pictures of the young doctor who is under horsemanship on social media could jeopardize her career.
“I am not happy with the way the doctor is being subjected to such an emotional trauma,” Dr. Frank Ankobea, the GMA President, said to Citi News.
“This is a young doctor who started work barely two weeks ago. She is young. She is now actually starting her career and I think we should support her. If we are only looking at what the father has done, we will throw away the baby with the bath water.”
“So it is important that all of us be measured in the kind of comments we pass and how we comment on these issues, and remember that somebody’s career is at stake,” Dr. Ankobea added.
Meanwhile, the management of the Manhyia District Hospital says it is offering psychological support to the doctor and the nurse involved in the issue and has asked them to stop working for a while.
Ashanti Regional Director for the National Service Scheme has apologised for the incident after nurses demanded that he should be sacked.
The National Service Scheme has since said it has initiated investigations into the conduct of its Ashanti Regional Director.
“At the moment, all workers are suffering income erosion. It is not because of mischief but because Ghana is having a real problem with the value of the Cedi. Their employer should understand them and allay their fears,” he said.
He made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after the Association’s President, Dr Frank Serebour, at their 64th Annual General Conference in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, called for salaries of members of the Association to be pegged at the rising Dollar rate.
Dr Serebour explained that the demand was because the current economic challenge was biting hard on the livelihoods of medical doctors and other health professionals.
“The escalating prices of fuel, food, goods and services make it very difficult for all of us in the public sector as well as doctors to make ends meet.
“Currently, the conditions of service of doctors and other health professionals in the public sector is deteriorating by the day. The skyrocketing cost of living fueled by the surging inflation and depreciation of the Cedi has resulted in a loss of over 60 per cent of the real value of our stagnated salaries,” he noted.
Mr Gamey said Ghana’s legal tender was Cedi, however, employees sometimes negotiated for a dollar equivalent because of the inflationary rates.
“They do this in particular because of the rapidly changing inflationary trends in the country to enable them to have a sustainable and protected income. Protection of income calls for an assurance that one’s income will not be eroded,” he added.
“… So when you see them wanting to take an industrial action, then its far beyond their capacity. So, I think they don’t mean harm.”
Whiles experts have advised employers to adopt the hybrid working system to allow employees to heave a sigh of relief amidst the economic crisis, the Ghana Medical Association has said otherwise.
According to the General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Titus Beyuo, the value of their salaries have reduced by 50 per cent.
He stated that it will be prudent for the government to peg their salaries and allowances at a dollar rate to avoid further shocks.
Speaking to rainbow radio, Dr Beyuo called on the government to devise strategies to stabilize the wobbling economy.
“The government must try to stabilize the economy because the real value of our salaries has reduced by about 50 percent and, even if in dollar terms, we are earning less. So in future negotiations, if the government does not stabilize the economy, we have no choice but to ask for our salaries and allowances to be pegged at the dollar rate so that, they do not lose value,” he said.
Against the Pound Sterling, the Cedi is trading at a buying price of 14.6862 and a selling price of 14.7034 as compared to Friday’s trading at a buying price of 14.5346 and a selling price of 14.5517.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has expressed dissatisfaction with the unfair and unequitable distribution of medical doctors in the country, describing it as a discrimination against Northern Ghana.
Speaking at the 64th Annual General Conference of the GMA in Bolgatanga, Dr Frank Serebour, the National President, GMA, said the situation was having dire health consequences on the already deprived and underserved regions and posed threats to quality of healthcare delivery in those areas.
He stated for instance that the Upper East Region had a total of 89 medical doctors, out of which only 30 were currently at post due to further studies, depriving many vulnerable communities of quality healthcare.
“This number is equivalent to a single department in our teaching hospitals in Korle-Bu and Komfo Anokye, and the numbers are not different from other deprived regions in the country”.
According to Dr Serebour, many healthcare facilities in Northern Ghana in particular, were being served by one doctor while some doctors had spent all their working lives in the South particularly in Accra and Kumasi.
He described the situation as an indictment on the management of the healthcare system in Ghana and underscored the need for an open and honest discussion to resolve the skewed distribution of doctors.
“Until there is a total transparency and fair play in transfers based on the needs of institutions, there will always be brave people who would refuse postings to deprived areas,” he lamented.
Apart from urging the government to design incentive package to attract and retain doctors in rural and deprived areas, Dr Serebour urged the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, particularly the District Assemblies to provide basic structures for doctors and other health workers.
This, he said, coupled with improved condition of service, would not only motivate doctors and other health workers to work in deprived communities but would help prevent the brain drain of doctors which was on the ascendancy.
“These packages may include well-furnished accommodation, top up salaries up to the tune of 50 per cent of their total salaries, full scholarships for further training, either within or outside the country after three years of continuous and dedicated service,” he added.
Mr Stephen Yakubu, Upper East Regional Minister, indicated that shortage of doctors especially in the Upper East Region was worrying to stakeholders and needed collective approach to resolving the issue.
He said over the years, doctors had refused postings to the region and the Regional Coordinating Council had tasked the Municipal and District Assemblies to identify and sponsor students to pursue medicine and bond them to work in the region.
He said the region was benefitting eight district hospitals under the government’s agenda 111 project and there was the need to attract and retain more doctors.
Mr Mahama Sei Seini, the Deputy Minister of Health, lauded the efforts of the GMA for the continuous contribution towards ensuring quality healthcare in the country.
He said as part of the government’s to achieve Universal Health Coverage, the Ministry had set up a committee on rural incentive package to attract health workers to rural areas and added that the committee had finished and submitted its report.
The conference was on the theme, “Doctor distribution dilemma: the case of Ghana and its underserved areas”.
In opposition to a new tax scheme by the Ghana Revenue Authority that is intended to underpay them, the Ghana Medical Association has threatened to push the government to close down healthcare facilities across the country.
The new tax structure that GRA is implementing will deduct taxes from the money that the association generates, according to GMA President Dr. Frank Serebour.
Since their members have already paid taxes on the wage they deduct their dues from, the Association contends that GRA’s request for them to pay these taxes is unreasonable.
Dr. Frank Serebour has therefore threatened to lead the association to an unprecedented nationwide protest if GRA fails to rescind the decision to surcharge them.
Speaking on Pure FM on Saturday, October 15, 2022, Dr. Serebour said this was the first time GRA is calling on the Association to pay such tax since its inception in over six decades.
“We won’t sit down to allow anybody, whether it is a government agency or the government itself, to collapse the association. That will not happen under my watch.”
“If anything at all, the first point was engagement. If something like that is going to happen, somebody should be engaging and not write that kind of letter.”
The Ghana Medical Association says it will force government to shut down health facilities nationwide in protest of a new tax system by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) that aims at shortchanging them.
The president of GMA Dr. Frank Serebour disclosed that GRA is introducing a new tax system that will take taxes from the association’s generated funds.
The Association believes GRA’s move to ask them to pay such taxes is unfair arguing that their members have already paid taxes on the salary they deduct their dues from.
Dr. Frank Serebour has therefore threatened to lead the association to an unprecedented nationwide protest if GRA fails to rescind the decision to surcharge them.
Speaking on Pure FM on Saturday, October 15, 2022, Dr. Serebour said this was the first time GRA is calling on the Association to pay such tax since its inception in over six decades.
“We won’t sit down to allow anybody, whether it is a government agency or the government itself, to collapse the association. That will not happen under my watch.”
He stressed that there should have been more dialogue on the taxes by the GRA.
“If anything at all, the first point was engagement. If something like that is going to happen, somebody should be engaging and not write that kind of letter.”
GMA threatens to shut down all health facilities nationwide protest of new tax system by GRA.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called on all Ghanaians to join hands and expose individuals and organisations involved in the destruction of lands and water bodies through galamsey as it has dire effect on the health of the nation.
The Association said despite several warnings of the health implication of galamsey on Ghanaians, the destruction of land and water bodies continue unabated.
The GMA is, therefore, urging the courts to expedite the trails and punish galamseyers who they referred to as “saboteurs” without mercy when they are brought before them.
They also called on President Akufo-Addo to take the necessary and urgent action to reverse this menace which they said is threatening the future and very survival of the country.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has urged Ghanaians to file complaints of mistreatment and neglect against any and all health professionals who act unprofessional in the discharge of their duty.
The Association noted that health professionals exist solely for the well-being of patients and need to be sanctioned if they behave otheriwse.
The President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Frank Ankobea in an interview earlier today noted that hospitals have various ways of addressing patient concerns and advised patients and their families to take advantage of that.
In an interview on the Happy Morning Show with host, Samuel Eshun, Dr. Ankobea said, “there are channels one can use to address problems and concerns in hospitals and patients must take advantage of themâ€.
He noted that patients will continuously suffer mistreatment if they make no complaints as these unprofessional health practitioners will keep on repeating their actions.
Dr. Ankobea believes these complaints can be escalated further if the hospitals refuse to take any actions against their staff.
“If your complaints are not addressed by the hospital, you then go to the various regulatory bodies and press charges. Ghanaians must know that one can make these complaints without suffering any victimizationâ€.
On his authority, a discussion on the rights of patients should be made a priority. “We need to start educating patients on how they can protect their rights. This is the time and we should start nowâ€, he said.
The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists has appealed to the government to reconsider the punishment meted out to people who flout COVID-19 rules.
Public Relations Officer of the Association, Dr. Dennis Adu-Gyasi says the punishment is excessive and may also end up congesting the country’s prison and eventually aid in the spread of the deadly disease.
Though it is very important for the government to ensure that Ghanaians comply with the COVID-19 protocols, it is also very important to ensure that it does not increase astronomically.
Speaking on Okay FM’s Ade Akye Abia program, Dr. Adu-Gyasi explained that “there is the possibility that those who will flout COVID-19 protocols may not be able to pay for the fine and may end in prison.”
“When this should continue for a period of time, you will have the prisons congested, so we are pleading with the government to reconsider the punishment for COVID-19 protocols flouters,” he entreated.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says he has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh, to strictly enforce the mandatory wearing of nose masks as the nation continues to grapple with the Coronavirus pandemic.
During his COVID-19 update on Sunday, January 17, 2021, he added that the police are also to also crack the whip on business owners who continue to illegally operate pubs, beaches, and cinemas, despite the restriction to have them closed over the outbreak.
“I have instructed the Inspector General of Police to direct officers, men, and women of the Police Service to ensure the rigorous enforcement of the law on mask-wearing at all public places and in public transport.
“They are also to ensure the closure of all nightclubs, pubs, cinemas, and beaches that may be operating in defiance of the law. They will be assisted by the other security agencies if need be,†Nana Akufo-Addo stated.
The directive is hinged on his presidential oath to “dedicate myself to the service and well-being of the people of the Republic of Ghana, and to do right to all manner of personsâ€, hence his commitment to protect lives and livelihoods.
He further reminded all Ghanaians that severe punishments exist on our statute books for persons breaking the law on the mandatory wearing of masks.
“Should anyone be arrested by the security agencies disregarding this directive, that person will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law†of the land, he warned.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called on health workers to volunteer to work in COVID-19 treatment centres across the country to ensure that COVID-19 situations at these centres are brought under control.
In an interview with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show, President of the Association, Frank Ankobea, sent a message to all health workers when he said: “We will appeal to the health workers that they should volunteer so that we can continue to work at the treatment centresâ€.
He noted that, thankfully, the Government had ensured that all existing centres have been activated and as such the COVID-19 cases at these centres will not be overwhelming as earlier on anticipated.
Meanwhile, Frank Ankobea has appealed to the Government to provide more PPEs for health workers to ensure their safety.
“Some of the PPEs are available to start with, but as the numbers increase, PPEs are consumables and we consume more. So as Oliver Twist, we can only ask for more so that when the cases come up, we are not overwhelmed. We are only asking Government that it provides more of the PPEsâ€, he added.
In his 22nd address to the nation on measures against COVID-19, President Nana Akufo-Addo disclosed that “Government is reactivating available treatment and isolation facilities across the country in anticipation of any further increase in infectionsâ€.
“The provision of adequate medicines, equipment, and personal protective equipment to enable health workers attend to homebased patients is bein effectedâ€, the President added.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) coronavirus death toll is now at 4.
This was disclosed in a statement by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the GMA.
According to the statement signed by President of the GMA, Dr Frank Ankobea and General Secretary of the GMA, Dr Justice Yankson, the Association said: “The first of our fallen colleague was Prof Jacob Plange-Rhule (Consultant Physician and former Rector Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons) who has subsequently been buried.â€
Specialiast Pediatrician and Medical Superintendent at the SDA Hospital, Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region, Dr Harry Boateng, Retired Orthopedic Surgeon Dr Emmanuel Twagireyesu, and Consultant Surgeon at the Trust Hospital in Accra, Dr Richard Kisser all lost their lives to the deadly virus.
The GMA noted that, “These fallen heroes have contributed immensely to the medical profession and their untimely demise constitutes a big loss to the fraternity.â€
The GMA enunciated that “over 150 medical doctors and dentists have been infected with SARS-COV-2 since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.â€
Also, “in view of the unfortunate increasing trend of infections among health workers, all members are encouraged to strictly observe all Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols that we all know very well and stay safe as we battle this pandemic together. Members should consciously ensure their safety at all times in the care of all patients regardless of the point of care.â€
It however assured “all members that it is working assiduously to ensure the concerns about inadequate PPEs, delays in testing and other member welfare issues related to COVID-19 are addressed by government and will not relent.â€
“The GMA together with other health sector unions will soon come out with detailed statistics on COVID-19 among health workers and way forward,†the statement added.
According to the statement signed by President of the GMA, Dr Frank Ankobea and General Secretary of the GMA, Dr Justice Yankson, the Association said: “The first of our fallen colleague was Prof Jacob Plange-Rhule (Consultant Physician and former Rector Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons) who has subsequently been buried.â€
Specialiast Pediatrician and Medical Superintendent at the SDA Hospital, Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region, Dr Harry Boateng, Retired Orthopedic Surgeon Dr Emmanuel Twagireyesu, and Consultant Surgeon at the Trust Hospital in Accra, Dr Richard Kisser all lost their lives to the deadly virus.
The GMA noted that, “These fallen heroes have contributed immensely to the medical profession and their untimely demise constitutes a big loss to the fraternity.â€
The GMA enunciated that “over 150 medical doctors and dentists have been infected with SARS-COV-2 since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.â€
Also, “in view of the unfortunate increasing trend of infections among health workers, all members are encouraged to strictly observe all Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols that we all know very well and stay safe as we battle this pandemic together. Members should consciously ensure their safety at all times in the care of all patients regardless of the point of care.â€
It however assured “all members that it is working assiduously to ensure the concerns about inadequate PPEs, delays in testing and other member welfare issues related to COVID-19 are addressed by government and will not relent.â€
“The GMA together with other health sector unions will soon come out with detailed statistics on COVID-19 among health workers and way forward,†the statement added.
“If we don’t take time and our health system is overwhelmed, a lot of people won’t get access to health care and even the deaths that we are worried about could go up” due to the number of Coronavirus cases recorded in the country, the General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Justice Yankson has cautioned.
Already, as of Tuesday, May 12, 2020, Ghana’s COVID-19 cases have increased by 427, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 5,127.
According to the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kumah Aboagye, 270 of the new cases were recorded in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
He said the total number of recoveries remained at 494, with 22 deaths.
He added that his outfit are waiting for the second results of some 130 patients who had tested negative for the coronavirus disease.
Dr. Justice Yankson of the GMA on his part cautioned against a possible surge in the number of coronavirus-related deaths because of the overwhelmed health care facilities in the country.
Speaking on Citi TV, Dr. Yankson said, “Gradually every fabric is being affected by COVID-19 in relation to gender, geographical location, among others. When you juxtapose the increasing number to the rate at which we are growing to the sort of [health] facilities we have, then you can realize that we are in trouble.”
“Community spread is gaining more grounds. Anytime there is testing involving groups of people, you will record a huge number of infected persons. This means COVID-19 has permeated our community [from the lower class to the rich],” he added.
Earlier, the Association urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo not to lift the ban on social gatherings including religious activities, schools, marriages, and funerals as the country continues to record high numbers of COVID-19 cases.
The association also wants the President to ensure that all Ghanaians comply with all COVID-19 protocols.
