Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - Ghana (Ratification: 1986)

The Committee notes with concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Article 2(1) of the Convention. Policy concerning nursing services and personnel. The Committee notes the indication by the Government in its report that a new Human Resource Strategic Plan for the Health Sector is under preparation. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the latest version of the Human Resource Strategic Plan for the Health Sector.

Article 2(2)(b). Employment and working conditions of nursing personnel. In response to its previous request regarding the progress made under the Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) Ghana Health Project, the Committee notes the Government’s report which states that the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission migrated 99 per cent of the public sector workers into the Single Spine Salary Structure, including nursing personnel, which has improved their conditions of service. The Government also states that it is addressing the migration issue by focusing on the nursing personnel’s wages and salary concerns through the introduction of the Public Sector Pay Policy (2009) and the MIDA Ghana Project. It adds that employers’ and workers’ organizations were involved in the process.

Article 3(1). Education and training of nursing personnel. In response to its previous comment concerning the decrease in the registration of nurses and midwifery personnel, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that it was a result of its own constant failure to implement the Single Spine Pay Policy but hopes that these concerns have now been addressed. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the concrete measures taken in this regard.

Article 5(2). Negotiated determination of conditions of employment of nursing personnel. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report that a collective bargaining agreement has been issued to the Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GRNA) mandated to negotiate for better conditions of service on their behalf. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the abovementioned collective bargaining agreement and any other collective bargaining agreements with other organizations representing nurses.

Article 7. Occupational safety and health of nursing personnel. In its previous comment, the Committee noted that the National Workplace HIV/AIDS Policy is of general applicability and covers nursing personnel. It recalls, however, that particular protection is required for nursing personnel who work directly with patients with HIV/AIDS. It notes that the Government’s report does not provide any information on this matter. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide additional information on any progress made with regard to the adoption of specific measures for the protection of nursing personnel who work directly with patients with HIV/AIDS.