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By Naillatu Iddrisu
The General Secretary of the Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU), Mr. Franklin Owusu Ansah, has condemned what he describes as sweeping and generalized attacks against health workers following two recent tragic incidents in the country.
The incidents — a missing baby at the Mamprobi Polyclinic and the reported death of an engineer who was allegedly denied emergency care by three major hospitals in Accra — have sparked public anger and intense debate about Ghana’s healthcare system.
In a communiqué issued at the launch of the HSWU Fund, Mr. Owusu Ansah cautioned against narratives that risk unfairly demonizing thousands of health professionals.
“The narrative currently gaining traction risks unfairly demonizing thousands of dedicated professionals who continue to work under extremely challenging conditions to save lives,” he stated.
He acknowledged that public discussion surrounding the alleged hit-and-run victim had raised concerns about emergency response protocols and hospital procedures. However, he emphasized that investigations into the matters are ongoing and urged restraint.
“Health workers operate within clearly defined administrative, legal and institutional frameworks. Triage decisions, admissions, emergency stabilization and referrals are guided by established protocols set by management and regulatory authorities,” Mr. Owusu Ansah stressed.
He maintained that it is unjust to single out frontline workers who, despite systemic inadequacies, often perform beyond expectations to save lives. The Union, he added, remains committed to professionalism, accountability and continuous improvement in service delivery.
HSWU Fund launched
At the same event, the National Chairman of HSWU, Mr. Lloyd Baffoe, officially launched the HSWU Fund, describing the initiative as more than a financial instrument.
He said the launch represents a bold step toward strengthening solidarity, promoting welfare and securing the future of members across the health sector.
The Health Services Workers’ Union, an affiliate of the Trades Union Congress (Ghana), advocates improved working conditions, fair remuneration, occupational safety and professional dignity for health workers.
“From hospital orderlies to laboratory staff, from technical and support staff to administrative professionals — our members form the backbone of Ghana’s healthcare delivery system,” Mr. Baffoe noted.
He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of life, stating that emergencies, professional growth opportunities and unexpected hardships require financial resilience and timely support — circumstances that informed the establishment of the Fund.
According to the Union, the HSWU Fund is structured around three key pillars: Welfare Support, which provides structured financial assistance to members in times of distress, illness, bereavement or emergency; Empowerment and Development, which supports capacity building, education and professional advancement initiatives; and Sustainability and Solidarity, which creates a self-sustaining financial mechanism to strengthen collective bargaining power and long-term institutional stability.
Mr. Baffoe emphasized that the initiative signals a shift from reactive intervention to proactive empowerment, positioning the Union as both an advocate at the negotiating table and a dependable partner in the daily lives of its members.
He assured members that transparency, accountability and prudent governance would underpin the Fund’s operations, with robust governance structures, clear operational guidelines and strict financial oversight mechanisms to safeguard contributions.
“This Fund is not merely a financial pool — it is a symbol of unity. It is an investment in one another,” he stated. “It declares that when one member faces difficulty, the entire Union stands behind them.”
The Union leadership called on members, branch leaders, regional executives and stakeholders to embrace the initiative wholeheartedly, expressing hope that the Fund would provide relief where there is hardship while reinforcing solidarity within the health sector.
