The Convention People’s Party (CPP) welcomes the decision by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to call off their strike and return to work. We have noted that they did so on account of the numerous appeals by well-meaning persons and institutions and the recent floods that have claimed lives and destroyed property.

This strike was having the greatest impact on the poorest members of our society that depend the most on public services. We therefore applaud the Doctors for heeding the cry and plea of the majority of Ghanaians.

Although the strike has been called off, we expect the government to facilitate resumed negotiations between the GMA and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) as a matter of urgency. The expectation of all Ghanaians is that the process must continue until a solution is found. The tripartite meeting between the government, the GMA and the FWSC must take place at a suitable venue with amenities – perhaps a hotel – and all must commit to stay at the table for as long as it takes to reach agreement. Extraneous influences should not be allowed to impact on the negotiations.

We reiterate our acknowledgement of the stressful and demanding nature of the work of our Doctors, which involves long hours of work under trying conditions and sometimes without regular meals. We also recognize their often dedicated and selfless service to the people of Ghana. We nonetheless believe that the health of the people of this country must be paramount in the thoughts and consideration of all and under any circumstance.

We trust that the Government, the FWSC and the GMA will speedily and continuously work to reach a settlement that would avoid the needless loss of life and protect the health and well-being of all our citizens particularly the most of vulnerable.

SIGNED GENERAL SECRETARY IVOR KOBINA GREENSTREET 020 8080414 / 0244 384 963

27th October 2011