Actions Of GMA Not Politically Motivated

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has stated that its actions are aimed at advancing its cause and not politically motivated as perceived by some members of the general public. The National Executive Council (NEC) of the GMA made the statement in a communiqu� issued and jointly signed by Dr Kwabena Opoku�Adusei and Dr Justice Yankson, President and Assistant General Secretary of the Association respectively, at the end of the 5th NEC Meeting held in Bolgatanga at the weekend. �The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Ghana Medical Association has noted with concern that in the recent past, comments from some members of the public and politicians have sought to position statements and actions of the GMA and doctors within the partisan political space of this country. In some cases, some have described the genuine concerns of doctors for improved welfare as being politically motivated. "The National Executive Council wishes to place it on record that the actions of the GMA are not motivated by partisan political considerations and as such politicians and the general public are entreated to desist from examining the affairs of the Association through partisan political lenses�. The Association assured the general public that the GMA was mindful of its larger role in society as a credible professional body advancing population health needs, while pursuing the welfare needs of its members and would remain committed to engaging on relevant health policies and programmes. �The GMA as a body shall remain neutral on partisan political issues while encouraging free political expression of individual members. The GMA however will like the general public and politicians to know that it may be compelled to take the necessary legal action against anybody or group of persons who seek to send the name of the Association and its members into disrepute.�. On the issue of the Single Spine Salary, it said following the Association�s resort to the National Labour Commission (NLC) almost two months ago, the NLC had finally constituted a panel to resolve the following outstanding issues under compulsory arbitration which included Conversion difference, Distortions in social security (SSNIT) contribution and Market premium for doctors. The Communiqu� reminded the Ghana Health Service Council and Ministry of Health that the salary issue concerning the Medical Superintendents and District Directors of Health Service was still unresolved and entreated them to find a solution to the problem before it escalated into another mayhem. It said the Association would hold its 54th Annual General Conference at Cape-Coast in the Central Region beginning from November 6-11, 2012 under the theme �Under Five survival in Ghana: challenges and the way forward�. The communiqu� noted that the meeting was part of efforts to build the necessary momentum needed for Ghana to achieve the fourth Millennium Goal of reducing mortality in children less than five years by two-thirds in three years.