Fix Our Problems Now, Not Later – GMA to Akufo-Addo

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has made a clarion call on the President, Nana Akufo-Addo and his government to with all urgency, resolve the hardships Ghanaians are facing.

Apparently, doctors who are deemed to receive huge salaries and are believed to enjoy the luxury of life, are also feeling the heat of the economic fall outs.

Speaking on Accra based Star FM, yesterday, the General Secretary for GMA, Dr. Justice Yamson said Ghanaians had had it up to the neck and want a change in events now and not later.

According to him, claims by the President that government is working to improve conditions of Ghanaians in the long-run is untenable since all Presidents, since the 4th republic, have made similar claims.

“Ghanaians no longer believe politicians when they ask them to tighten their belt.

“I cannot be grateful when I am paying more for fuel when I expect to pay less. They keep telling us to tighten our belt but until when?” he asked.

Ghana seem hard from everybody; doctors, had even been in the news, demanding better conditions of service.

It could be recalled that in July, the GMA had called on government to resolve challenges with their salaries or face the consequences of an indefinite industrial action.

The primary issue in contention, was the payment of market premium as percentage of salary, in line with a ruling by the National Labour Commission (NLA).

On their emoluments, the doctors also noted that say they are unhappy about the reduction of their pension following their migration onto the Single Spine Salary pay policy.

But the GMA had called off the planned strike after government’s response to address the demands of the aggrieved health professionals.

But it seems government, as usual had just dabbled in a political gist to contain the situation.

Just on Monday, President Nana Addo had conceded that things are difficult in Ghana but says his government is working to resolve the economic hardships.

But Dr. Yamson says, “These days when we hear some of these things it becomes worrying, if he can give us times lines then yes, but for now we want things to get better, not later.”

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]