Regional News of Tuesday, 23 April 2013

Source: GNA

CPP appeals to GMA to end strike

The Convention People’s Party (CPP), has express concern about the escalating strike by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), as it has a direct impact on the sick and poor who may not be able to afford private medical care.

The CPP, therefore, pleaded with the GMA to reconsider on humanitarian grounds, its decision to stop attending to emergency cases, and called on government to convene a meeting with the stakeholders for immediate solutions to the problem.

A statement signed by Nii Armah Akrofrah, CPP Director of Communications, copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday, appealed to government to desist from any threatening or inflammatory language and avoid any propaganda war by the media.

The CPP said it recognised “the demanding nature and the dedication and selfless service rendered by the doctors, and laments that the strike has now escalated with all the attendant impact on the sick and the poor in society”.

The statement said it is happy that discussions between the GMA, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWAC), the Trade Union and the government has progress , but advocated compulsory arbitration and urgent resolution of the remaining issues like the pensions and conversion difference.

“We trust that the government, GMA, FWAC and other interested parties will get behind closed doors and work speedily to find resolution to the problem to ensure the continued well-being of the people,” it said.