Junior Doctors in Ghana Declare Nationwide Strike Over 14 Months Unpaid Salaries

The Junior Doctors’ Association of Ghana (JDA-GH) has announced a nationwide withdrawal of services beginning next week, citing what it calls “months of neglect and unfair treatment” by the government and the Ministry of Health. In a press release dated October 2, 2025, the Association explained that the decision follows repeated but unsuccessful engagements with authorities over their grievances.

Among the key concerns highlighted are unpaid salaries, with more than 200 junior doctors reportedly working between 10 to 14 months without pay. Others already on the government payroll have had their salaries abruptly frozen without explanation, while over 800 medical officers remain unposted more than a year and four months after graduation.

The industrial action will roll out in two phases. Phase One, affecting outpatient services, will run from Tuesday, October 7 to Thursday, October 9, 2025. If the issues remain unresolved, Phase Two will escalate the strike to include emergency services starting Friday, October 10, 2025, until further notice. During the action, current inpatients will continue to be treated until discharge, but no new patients will be admitted.

The JDA-GH stressed that it will no longer tolerate the exploitation of its members, placing full responsibility for any disruption in healthcare delivery on the Ministry of Health and the Government of Ghana. The statement concluded with a call for urgent intervention, and it was jointly signed by the Association’s President, Dr. (Med) Louis Aja Nkrumah, and General Secretary, Dr. (Med) Rhoda Wun-nam Amadu.