Ghana’s Ministry of Health has appealed to the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) to call off its strike and return to the negotiation table.

The ministry said it acknowledges all the union’s demands for improved working conditions and is ready to address them at the negotiating table.

In a press release signed by the Public Relations department, the ministry stated that the government’s negotiation team had reached an agreement on most of the items proposed by MELPWU.

On June 3, the MELPWU announced the commencement of a nationwide strike from Monday, June 17, which has since affected services provided by their members in medical laboratories, blood banks, pathology laboratories, and selected mortuary facilities across the country.

This decision comes as a response to prolonged delays by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Ministry of Finance in concluding negotiations with the union.