We Can't Encourage Doctors To Flout Country's Laws With Impunity - Dr. Apaak

Presidential Staffer, Dr. Clement Apaak has joined in the crusade to convince striking members of the Ghana Medical Association [GMA] to rescind their decision and report to work in accordance with the country's laws.

According to him, it is true the GMA has the right to demand for better working conditions but it is also true they must ask for them within the context of the law through negotiation, imploring the doctors to go back to perform their responsibilities and save lives while negotiations continue.

Speaking on Okay Fm’s "Ade Akye Abia" Morning Show, Dr. Apaak established that the doctors are being paid but the problem has been that the doctors are now demanding for a codified conditions of service.

He admitted the doctors are right to deserve it but insisted it must be within the context of the country’s economic situation, the law and within the agreement which is there for every public sector worker to be on the single spine salary structure before government looks at their category 2 and 3 allowances.

Dr. Clement Apaak, in support of President Mahama’s plea, said the work of the doctors is very essential and also agreed with the president that the doctors’ strike is illegal.

Commenting on the Employment and Labor Relations Minister, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu’s directive to deny striking workers salaries, Dr. Apaak said Ghana is a nation of laws and so it is very necessary that despite the fact that individuals have their right to engage in certain actions to drum home their demand they must be mindful that there are laws in the country.

He feared that the country could be reduced to a jungle where no law will work and anybody at any time for whatever reason can just decide to flout the law with impunity; insisting “we cannot encourage that…it is very important that as part of the transformation agenda we begin to enforce the laws in this country to demand that citizens conduct themselves within the context of the law”.