GACRA threatens nationwide strike on December 1 over staff shortages

The Ghana Association of Certified Registered Anaesthetists (GACRA) has announced plans to begin an industrial strike on December 1, 2026, if the government fails to address a critical decline in staffing levels. This move follows years of unresolved petitions regarding the profession's challenges and the broader quality of anaesthesia services in Ghana. The association's leadership describes the upcoming action as a last resort, taken after four years of attempts to engage the government in meaningful dialogue were met with inaction.

James Nwinsagra, the President of GACRA, highlighted a staggering drop in the number of practising anaesthetists, which has decreased by more than half from 1,200 to just 582. This reduction has put immense pressure on the remaining workforce and significantly jeopardized service delivery in hospitals nationwide. Nwinsagra stressed that the crisis requires urgent government intervention, including increased investment in training and infrastructure, to prevent a complete collapse of anaesthesia services.

The potential strike poses a significant threat to surgical operations and emergency care across the country. GACRA maintains that the government must present a concrete plan to tackle the staffing deficit and resolve long-standing professional grievances to avert the industrial action. As the December 1 deadline approaches, healthcare stakeholders are watching closely to see if the Ministry of Health and relevant authorities will step in to negotiate a settlement and ensure the continuity of essential medical services.