The Health Accounting Staff Association of Ghana has issued a notice of an impending strike in response to a decision made by the management of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).

They explained that on the 20th of September 2023, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KBTH delivered release letters dated 19th of September 2023, to five (5) accountants of the hospital, directing them to report to the Health Ministry for reassignment, effective from the 26th of September, 2023.

In a statement they released, they expressed their deep disappointment, noting that all the affected Accountants serve as leaders of the local branch of the HASAG Union within the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

“To our utmost dismay, all the affected Accountants are leaders of the local branch of HASAG Union in the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital made up of four branch Council members and one executive member of the union who is the Korle-bu branch Vice president of the Association.

“From all indications, they are being taken out of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital permanently to be reassigned under the Ministry of Health and never to return to the hospital,” a statement they issued said.

This local branch is comprised of four branch Council members and one executive member, who happens to be the Korle-bu branch Vice President of the Association.

According to them, the decision to permanently transfer these union leaders out of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, under the Ministry of Health, effectively prevents them from advocating for the rights of their members.

This action, they argue, is not in line with the public service provisions and the framework for negotiating conditions of service for the Ghana public sector health workforce.

They also cited the framework for negotiating conditions of service for Ghana's public sector health workforce, specifically section 3.1.i-iii, which emphasizes that postings should not be used as a punitive measure and should be done with due notice.

It further mentions that postings exceeding two years should come with adequate notice and planning.

The union leaders believe that these releases are an attempt to victimize and intimidate them, particularly due to their involvement in an ongoing court case regarding the appointment of a substantive director of finance. They contend that these releases are unjustified, especially when the case is already before the court.

Consequently, they call upon the President of Ghana, Akufo-Addo, to intervene and direct the Health Minister, the Board Chairman of KBTH, and the CEO of KBTH to act in the interest of industrial peace and harmony.

Finally, they announce that if the release letters given to their union leaders at Korle-bu Teaching Hospital are not withdrawn within seven (7) working days from the date of their letter, the union will proceed with a nationwide strike to demand the withdrawal of these letters.