<<Print>>The opposition New Patriotic Party is appealing to striking doctors to call off their strike. At a press conference organised at the party's headquarters, Tuesday the party's General Secretary Kwabena Agyapong expressed worry about the dire impact the strike and subsequent mass resignation of the doctors would have on the ordinary citizens.
Mr Agyepong therefore implored doctors to return to work and save the lives of the ordinary citizens who will be at the receiving end of this strike action. He also implored government, to as a matter of urgency, resolve the grievances of the doctors.
The party's General Secretary was disappointed with how the government has handled the issue thus far. Kwabena Agyapong said the many strikes in the country's labour front is a testament of government's corruption, incompetence and reckless management of the economy. Chronicling the strike by doctors, pharmacists, state attorneys, Agyepong hinted teachers and other public sector workers may soon withdraw their services if government does not get a handle on the situation. "What is clear is that the increasing labour unrest is not taking place in a vacuum.
It is the result of mismanagement of the Ghanaian economy and rampant corruption by the John Mahama led National Democratic Congress government, which has found expression in the high cost of living faced by Ghanaian workers, deteriorating conditions of service, widespread unemployment and unavailability of basic supplies, such as chalk in schools, and paper in offices," Kwabena Agyapong said. Whilst blaming the government for the turn of events the party believes the doctors must return to work for the larger interest of Ghanaians. "We wish to take this opportunity to urge various health professionals in the country to continue to show patriotism and some level of care even under this difficult period.
The New Patriotic Party government in January 2017 under Nana Akufo-Addo’s leadership by the grace of God will implement effective policies to address problems in the sector. Our party has the enviable track record of better managing the economy, rewarding productivity and providing a listening ear to workers. What we are witnessing today on the labour front are the consequences of bad economic management and corruption," Kwabena Agyepong stated.