File photo of a dead body
The General Secretary of the Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana, Richard Kofi Jordan, has revealed that mortuaries across the country are now receiving an increased number of bodies due to the ongoing strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Richard Kofi Jordan said that if the strike continues, they may be forced to direct families to send bodies to police stations, as mortuary facilities may soon reach full capacity.
“There’s a surge in the number of deaths recorded in the wake of the ongoing strike, especially after the nurses embarked on a total withdrawal of their services on Monday. People are dying more across the country. Wherever there are mortuaries, we are recording high numbers of deaths. Many of the cases are coming from homes instead of hospitals. Those who are turned away from hospitals complain that as soon as they got home, their relatives died. These are the stories we are hearing, so in our minds, we believe these deaths are a result of the strike action,” he said.
Richard Kofi Jordan added that the situation has put significant pressure on mortuary facilities nationwide.
“We are enduring immense pressure following the strike. If care is not taken and the strike continues for a few more days, we will have to announce to the public that mortuaries are full. Hence, if a relative dies, the body should rather be sent to the police station. What is the mandate of the police? They are to maintain peace, law, and order. And so, if we can’t handle something and it might get out of hand, it’s better to hand it over to the police for temporary safekeeping. The effects of this strike are a serious issue. In my personal view, efforts should have been made to prevent this strike action.”
The GRNMA embarked on a nationwide strike on June 4, 2025, due to the government’s failure to implement key provisions of their 2024 Collective Agreement, which includes allowances, incentives, and improved working conditions.
The General Secretary of the Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana, Richard Kofi Jordan, has revealed that mortuaries across the country are now receiving an increased number of bodies due to the ongoing nurses’ strike, putting pressure on mortuary facilities nationwide.
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— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) June 10, 2025
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