Ghana's Junior Doctors Announce Nationwide Strike Over Unpaid Salaries

October 4, 2025

The Junior Doctors' Association of Ghana (JDA-GH) has announced a nationwide withdrawal of services, citing months of salary arrears and unfair treatment of its members.

In a press release dated October 2, 2025, the association revealed that over 200 junior doctors have worked without salaries for 10 to 14 months. The situation has been compounded by the abrupt cessation of salaries for several medical officers previously on payroll, with no explanation provided by authorities.

Additionally, more than 800 medical officers have been waiting for postings for the past one year and four months, leaving them in professional limbo.

Strike Action Details

The JDA-GH has directed all its members to take the following actions:

• Withdraw all outpatient services from Tuesday, October 7 to Thursday, October 9, 2025
• Withdraw emergency services from Friday, October 10, 2025, until further notice

However, the association clarified that inpatients will continue to be managed until discharge, though no new cases will be admitted during the emergency service withdrawal.

Government Engagement Unsuccessful

Despite what the association described as "repeated engagements with authorities and good-will shown towards the government," no solutions have been offered to address the concerns of junior doctors.

The JDA-GH emphasized that responsibility for any disruption to healthcare services lies with the Ministry of Health and the Government of Ghana, stating that "the continued exploitation of junior doctors will no longer be tolerated."

Call for Urgent Resolution

The association has called on all stakeholders to act immediately to resolve the issues, warning that the healthcare sector faces significant disruption if the matters remain unaddressed.

The press release was signed by Dr. (Med) Louisa Atta Nkrumah, President of JDA, and Dr. (Med) Rhoda Wun-nam Amadu, General Secretary of JDA.