Government, Physician Assistants sign landmark agreement
The government has finalised crucial Conditions of Service agreement with the Physician Assistants Association of Ghana (PAAG) and the Medical Laboratory Professionals Workers Union (MELPWU) aimed at improving working conditions and benefits for members of the two bodies.
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The agreement with the MELPWU is the first to be signed since the union’s formation, while the deal with the PAAG came after months of negotiations to address long-standing concerns of the group.
This latest development is expected to boost morale and motivation among this group of health professionals, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare services in Ghana.
PAAG
The government team that handled the agreement with the PAAG, comprising representatives of the Ministry of Health, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), and the Ghana Health Service, worked with PAAG's National President, Peter Akudugi Ayamba, and executive members to reach the mutually-beneficial agreement.
Speaking on behalf of the government after the final meeting and signing of the agreement in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, Ben Arthur, commended both parties for their cooperation and acknowledged the critical role Physician Assistants played in Ghana's healthcare delivery system.
He also praised the PAAG for its commitment and mastery of labour relations.
Implementation
PAAG President, Mr Ayamba, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, calling it a significant milestone in improving working conditions and benefits. He urged the government to ensure its implementation, adding that more work needed to be done.
A labour consultant, Saeed Musah-Khaleepha, described the negotiations as "a long journey and significant step forward". He expressed appreciation for the commission's leadership and professionalism exhibited in the course of the negotiations and said he looked forward to continued collaboration.
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The deal with the MELPWU, reached after a series of negotiations, aims to improve the welfare and working conditions of medical laboratory professionals across the country.
Led by the FWSC, the government team comprised representatives of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health and its implementing agencies.
The union was represented by its General Secretary, Dr Cephas Kofi Akortor, and consultant, Gamey and Gamey. Mr Arthur, speaking at a meeting which led to the signing of the agreement in Accra, said the agreement marked a significant milestone in the government's efforts to prioritise the welfare of healthcare workers.
"We are committed to ensuring that our healthcare professionals receive the recognition and compensation they deserve," he said. Dr Akortor expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the negotiations, stating that the agreement addressed the union's key concerns.
The MELPWU General Secretary indicated that the agreement was a testament to the power of collaboration and collective bargaining and expressed the hope that it would soon be implemented to impact the lives of the members positively.