Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association threaten nationwide strike

The Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), have expressed dissatisfaction about the migration of pharmacists unto the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).

The two medical bodies spoke against the pace and distortions in the process of migrating pharmacists unto the SSSS by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) in a statement issued in Accra on Monday.

“Specifically, the GHOSPA has observed in recent times that there has been a serious misrepresentation of submissions that GHOSPA has made before the FWSC.

“The effects of this misrepresentation could impact negatively on the salaries of pharmacists. Also, there is the possibility of implementing the SSSS in phases within the health sector which GHOSPA is vehemently opposed to.

“GHOSPA wishes to caution that these developments run the risk of posing a grave consequence on pharmaceutical care delivery in Ghana," the statement said.

It said pharmacists are committed to the process although “it is painfully slow and fraught with unacceptable flaws. For this reason, pharmacists are growing impatient and apprehensive”.

The statement said GHOSPA has communicated to the National Labour Commission about a possible nationwide strike, whilst calling on pharmacists to remain calm and continue rendering service to patients.

“GHOSPA calls on the FWSC to as a matter of urgency and without any further delay restore the proper grades and the reasonable premiums as agreed on as soon as possible and immediately migrate pharmacists and all other health workers unto the SSSS.”

The statement warned the FWSC to desist from any attempt to implement the migration in the health sector in phases among professional groups.