Non-migration of GHOSPA unto the SSSS

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has commended the Minister of Health, Mr Alban Bagbin and his Deputy, Mr Robert Mettle-Nunoo, for showing goodwill and exemplary leadership that resulted in the calling off of the strike action by members of the Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA).

A release issued on Wednesday however said more than two months after calling off the strike action on 10th April, 2012, the migration process has not been completed despite the assurances that the migration of GHOSPA members onto the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) would be completed by 30th April, 2012.

GHOSPA members are the only Public Sector clinical health professionals who remain on the HSS.

The PSGH is getting worried about serious agitations that have started among the rank and file of GHOSPA membership and therefore appeal to the Minister of Health and all stakeholders to facilitate the completion of the migration process in the interest of peace and harmony on the labour front.

In less than six months from now, the good people of Ghana will go to the polls to elect a President and Members of Parliament.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana appeals to all Ghanaians to ensure that peace prevailed before, during and after the December 7, 2012 elections.

As health professionals with the enviable motto “Amicus Humani Generis” meaning “Friends of the Human Race”, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana wishes to generally remind all Ghanaians of the very serious health implications of election related civil wars and their devastating effect especially on women and children.

“The PSGH condemns in no uncertain terms the violence that characterised the biometric voter registration exercise at some registration centres across the country,” it said.

The Society wondered why the mere biometric registration of voters in a country touted as the beacon of hope and democracy on the African continent should result in verbal insults, inciting of violence through hate speeches and meting out of brutalities to some innocent citizens.

The PSGH therefore called on all Ghanaians to refrain from actions and utterances that threatened the peace and stability of the country.

“Ghanaians should never ever take the peace that we are currently enjoying in the country for granted. Leaders of political parties should show leadership by example by being decorous in their utterances.

“The media, political parties and indeed all Ghanaians should bear in mind that the Rwanda genocide during which many Tutsis and Moderate Hutus were massacred was triggered off by a radio broadcast.

“We of the PSGH therefore appeal to the media to be circumspect in their reportage and political discussions with a view to promoting peace, political diversity, tolerance and reconciliation in our beloved country,” the statement said.

The statement appealed to the law enforcement agencies to exhibit absolute neutrality and professionalism in the discharge of their duties, adding that nobody should be allowed to take the law into their own hands no matter their socio-politico-economic status.

“We of the PSGH also passionately appeal to all political parties to be committed to the 2012 Ghana Political Parties Code of Conduct whose preamble states as follows: “The roots of a thriving democracy are to be found in peace, stability, law and order, as well as compliance by all stakeholders with well-defined electoral laws and codes,” it said.

The PSGH believes that once all political parties abided by the code, it could act as a powerful catalyst to ensure transparent and peaceful elections in December.