<<Print>>Former President, John Agyekum Kufuor has appealed to the striking doctors to return to work while they continue negotiations with government.
He has also urged the striking doctors to be considerate and attend to the plight of the masses who have been affected by the ongoing strike. Mr. Kufuor made the call at a special congregation where he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree at the University of Education, Winneba. The former president also implored the doctors to exercise restraint even if government fails to address their concerns. “I also appeal to all public sector employees and more specific ally the GMA that for the ultimate human consideration for the suffering masses of the people of Ghana and with their case already so strongly made, be quick to learn to restrain themselves for taking the final step of irreparable damage to the nation, thus the strike should be cut off at a point.
The point has been made, the nation I believe will appreciate such informed compromise and will not forget,” he said. Meanwhile he has urged government to show commitment in addressing concerns of agitated workers in the public sector. “I must save the occasion to appeal to the government as they play eminent leader institution of and for the entire nation of Ghana to reach out with evident concern, transparency, decorum and spirit of conciliation and in dialogue and negotiation with the Ghana medical association as well as all other public sector workers including those in the educational sector who for obvious undoubted socio-economic difficulties are pursuing of threatening to pursue industrial action against the state,” he said.
The GMA is striking over what they say is the absence of terms of conditions of service. The strike which enters its second week has led to the suspension of services to Out Patient Departments as well as emergency care. But a consensus agreed at the Association’s crunch General Meeting on Friday resulted in an extension of the strike by two weeks.