The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) has announced that its members will not participate in the nationwide strike declared by Organised Labour, set to commence on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
In a statement released on Wednesday, October 9, GHOSPA acknowledged the crucial role that Organised Labour plays in advocating for workers’ rights and addressing national issues, such as the ongoing illegal mining (galamsey) crisis.
While expressing support for the strike’s objectives, the association emphasized that its members would remain at work to prevent disruptions in healthcare services.
GHOSPA urged all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to continue their duties as usual until further notice.
“While GHOSPA agrees with the issues raised by organised labour, we also recognise the vital role that Pharmacists and Pharmacy technicians play in offering healthcare services to the people of Ghana. As part of the essential workforce, we are dedicated to ensuring that healthcare delivery remains consistent, even amid industrial disputes.
“Thus, even though GHOSPA will not be joining the countrywide strike, we fully support the organised labour’s requests and call on the government to promptly tackle the issue of Galamsey. We urge all political parties to agree to a pact that promises a thorough and lasting resolution to this urgent problem,” the statement read.
The statement continued: “All Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians are required to carry on with their duties until
further communication from the leadership.”
Organised Labour has scheduled Thursday, October 10, to embark on a nationwide strike after the government’s perceived failure to tackle the illegal mining menace.
The group has made several demands on the government including a ban on all forms of small-scale mining with forest reserves and water bodies, declaring a state of emergency in galamsey communities among others.
Meanwhile, the government has given indication that it is intensifying efforts under “Operation Halt” spearheaded by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in collaboration with the Small Scales Miners to get rid of the country’s water bodies of illegal small-scale mining activities that have been degrading natural resources.
