Workers of the St. Martin de Porres Hospital at Eikwe in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region have called off their strike following a high-level intervention by traditional and government authorities.

The industrial action, which stemmed from concerns over unpaid provident fund contributions allegedly owed to staff by the hospital’s leadership, was suspended after a comprehensive engagement involving key authorities.

The engagement brought together Awulae Blay IX, Paramount Chief of the Eastern Traditional Council; Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Member of Parliament for Ellembelle; and the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Joseph Agyekum.

The intervention sought to de-escalate the impasse between the workers and management while creating a constructive avenue for addressing the outstanding financial obligations.

Following extensive deliberations, the workers agreed to suspend the strike and resume their duties, restoring normalcy to the facility and averting a potentially prolonged disruption to healthcare delivery.

The dispute over the provident fund contributions had generated considerable concern among staff, particularly over the welfare and financial security implications of the outstanding payments.

The latest development is expected to provide an opportunity for management and the workers to pursue a definitive resolution to the matter through continued dialogue and engagement.

The intervention by the traditional authority and government representatives has highlighted the importance of collaboration among relevant authorities in resolving labour-related disputes, particularly within critical public service institutions.

With the strike now called off, attention is expected to focus on ensuring that the commitments reached during the engagement are honoured and that the outstanding provident fund obligations are addressed expeditiously.

The St. Martin de Porres Hospital remains a vital healthcare facility for Ellembelle and neighbouring Districts. The restoration of uninterrupted services is therefore expected to bring relief to patients and residents who depend on the hospital for essential medical care.

The relevant authorities are expected to maintain the momentum of the engagement until the concerns raised by the workers are fully resolved and a sustainable mechanism is established to prevent similar industrial tensions from recurring.