Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, the Okyenhene and President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, has called on organised labour to exercise restraint and resort to dialogue to ensure national peace is not derailed.

A statement issued copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Sunday from the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council, said the Okyenhene made the call during a meeting with the leadership of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

Osagyefuo Ofori Panin accompanied by some traditional rulers negotiated with the representatives of the striking doctors and beseeched them to go back to work for the progress of the nation.

“The country is under a critical period and its position as the hub of peace in the sub-region must be safeguarded by all,” he said.

The Okyenhene stated that the culture of militancy and strikes must not become a permanent feature of the nation and urged the labour movement to resort to dialogue.

The Okyenhene pleaded with the doctors to rescind their decision since the medical profession is not only noble but humanitarian and crucial to human life and security while government addresses their needs.

Dr. Kwabena Opoku Adusei, President of GMA, expressed his appreciation to the Okyenhene and his traditional rulers for their concern and said the GMA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding.