Member of Parliament(MP) for Atebubu Amanteng Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region, Hon Sanja Nanja has said comments made by former MP for Asokwa, Kofi Jumah has a result of comparison triggered the doctors strike.
According him, though doctors are demanding their allowances, the former Kumasi mayor’s comment has been part of the reasons why doctors are not willing to negotiate with the Fair Wages and Salary Commission (FWSC) to accept payment in installment.
Kofi Jumah on Adom FM last Thursday is reported to have said medical doctors and teachers cannot compare themselves with Members of Parliament because MPs are on a higher hierarchy compared to the two professions.
He was responding to public outcry about the payment of over Ghc 200,000 as ex-gratia to former MPs like himself, at a time when teachers and doctors are agitating for the payment of salaries and allowances they have worked for.
Speaking on Peace FM’s morning show programme “Kokrokoo”, Hon Sanja Nanja stated that, every reasonable doctor upon hearing the comments from the former MP will express worried.
“If Kofi Jumah is making such a statement and you are a UTAG member or a doctor, you will have some pains in you. This has created the problem, and that is the fact. That comparison will not help. His (Kofi Jumah) comment triggered the strike because at that moment, doctors and teachers were ready to comply with government on the installment payment,” he said.
The NDC MP further accused some doctors of using the strike action to run their own private hospitals.
“In situations like this, this is the time most of the doctors make their money. Some of the doctors have their private hospitals they run, so nothing will push them if you refuse to pay them,” he alleged.