The Ministry of Health (MOH), has commended Members of the Government Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) for accepting to call off their strike to enable stakeholders to resolve their issues.

'It is our hope that GHOSPA will cooperate with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Ministry of Health, the National Labour Commission and other stakeholders to resolve all issues relating to their remuneration and conditions of service.'

This was contained in a release signed by Mr Tony Goodman, Head of Public Relations, MOH.

While the Ministry commits itself to ensuring fair and adequate remuneration for all categories of health workers, it is of the view that this could only be done through proper procedure and respect for law, the release said.

It said the Ministry was aware that the FWSC had negotiated a number of times with GHOSPA.

'The negotiation has not concluded. Our understanding is that FWSC is still committed to continuing the negations. It is therefore the view of the Ministry that the people of Ghana, the poor and vulnerable as well as distressed patients would be served if GHOSPA continued to negotiate with a view to reaching agreement with the FWSC,' the release said.

The Ministry wishes to remind GHOSPA that as providers of essential services, they are enjoined by section 162 of the Labour Act to refer any problems they may have with the negotiation process to the Labour Commission, if they are of the view that negotiation has broken down.