GhArticles.com Every News in Detail
In a recent development, the Health Accounting Staff Association (HASA) in Ghana has issued a stern warning about a potential nationwide strike, which is contingent on a recent decision made by the management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).
The dispute centers around the actions of the KBTH’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on September 20, 2023. On that date, the CEO distributed release letters, dated September 19, 2023, to five accountants at the hospital, instructing them to report to the Health Ministry for reassignment, effective September 26, 2023.
What has particularly alarmed HASA is the fact that all the accountants in question are leaders of the local branch of the HASA Ghana Union within KBTH. This group consists of four branch Council members and one executive member who serves as the Korle-Bu branch Vice President of the Association.
According to HASA, these individuals are not being temporarily reassigned; rather, they are slated for permanent transfer under the Ministry of Health with no prospect of returning to the hospital. This decision has sparked concern within the union.
HASA has released a statement in which they declare: “We are by this communique serving notice that if the release letters given to our Union leaders at KBTH are not withdrawn within seven (7) working days from the date of this letter, the union shall embark on a nationwide strike action to demand the withdrawal of the letters.”
The union believes that this move by the CEO and the Ministry will significantly hinder their ability to advocate for the rights of its members. They contend that it contravenes public service provisions and the framework for negotiating the conditions of service for Ghana’s public sector health workforce.
HASA refers to Section 3.1.i-iii of the framework, which governs the posting of public sector health workers in Ghana. The section specifies that postings intended to exceed two years should require at least three months’ notice to employees and should ideally be done before the start of the academic year. This provision aims to enable employees to make arrangements for their children’s education. Furthermore, it strictly prohibits using postings as a punitive measure.
The union sees the release of its leaders as an attempt to victimize and intimidate them, particularly in light of a pending court case regarding the appointment of a substantive director of finance.
HASA suggests that discussions with certain stakeholders indicate that the affected members are being transferred due to their involvement in the ongoing legal case. They insist that this transfer is unjustified, given the ongoing legal proceedings.
In their appeal to President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, the union urges him to intervene and call the Health Minister, the Chairman of the KBTH Board, and the KBTH CEO to order, all in the interest of maintaining industrial peace and harmony.
