Member of Parliament for the Bantama Constituency, Hon. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, has described it as unfortunate on the part of government to describe the strike action by doctors as “illegal”.
The NPP MP argues that attempts by the government to fight the doctors via the media was basically a gimmick attempt and would urge the current NDC administration fight the doctors in court if they believe the industrial action by the doctors were illegal.
In a statement signed by the Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mahama Ayariga, government accused the doctors on strike of peddling falsehood in the media and maintained that the ongoing strike by the Ghana Medical Association is illegal, unfounded and insensitive.
A portion of the statement which was released on 10th April, 2013 reads : “Government wishes to remind members of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) that their current strike action is illegal and their claims in the media that government is refusing to abide by the ruling of the National Labour Commission (NLC) are false.”
But in an interview with Peacefmonline, Hon. Henry Kwabena Kokofu chastised government for releasing the statement at this particular time when it was best to shower cold waters on the hot issues that has enveloped the nation.
He advised the government to address the issue in court rather than counter the actions of the doctors through the media and press releases.