Renowned labour consultant Austin Gamey has made an impassioned appeal to striking nurses and midwives, urging them to end their industrial action and return to the negotiation tables.
The CEO of Gamey & Gamey Group delivered his emotional plea during an appearance on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Tuesday, warning that the ongoing strike risks patient welfare and could spiral out of control if not resolved through constructive dialogue.
Gamey expressed deep personal anguish over the situation, stating, “I am distressed. Our customers are patients. Let’s not sacrifice them for a fight that can be resolved through dialogue.”
The veteran mediator suggested his absence from recent negotiations may have altered the outcome, revealing, “If I had been in the meeting, maybe a different decision would have been taken.
“They didn’t invite me this time, perhaps because they knew my stand.” The labour relations expert emphasized that industrial actions should be a last resort rather than a first response.
“Every agreement that cannot be implemented immediately is a dispute – and disputes require dialogue, not strikes,” Gamey asserted.
He made his availability clear, declaring, “If they invite me, I’ll be there in a second. Let’s go back to work and talk this through.”
Gamey issued a sobering warning about the potential consequences of prolonged conflict, cautioning that “If you only look at the faults of your employer, everyone, including some nurses, could die before we realise we’ve gone too far.”
His remarks come as the strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association continues to disrupt healthcare services across the country, with both sides remaining at an impasse over key demands.