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Tamale, Ghana – The Northern Regional branch of the Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU) of Ghana has climaxed the celebration of eight (8) decades of championing the rights and welfare of healthcare workers.
The climaxed of the weeklong celebration took place on Friday September 13 at the Tamale West Hospital with a clean up exercise.
Members of HSWU swept and mowed overgrown weeds within the hospital as well as discussed pertinent issues regarding the growth of the Union.
Below is a brief history of HSWU.
In the early 1940s, trade unionism in Ghana’s health industry took root during the colonial era, starting at the European Hospital in Takoradi, now the Takoradi District Hospital. Three independent unions—Gold Coast Hospital Employees Union, Medical Field Unit Employees Union, and Environmental Health Employees Union—emerged across different regions by 1944. These unions united in 1955 to form the Health and General Hospital Workers Union (HGHWU), driven by the shared goal of representing health workers and ensuring collective action.
The union experienced significant changes in 1965 when the Ghanaian government directed health professionals such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to form their own associations, causing a split. As a result, the HGHWU rebranded itself in 1966 as the Health Services Workers’ Union (HSWU), a decision confirmed at a conference in Prempeh College, Kumasi.
Over time, the HSWU has grown to represent various categories of health workers, from auxiliary staff to senior employees, while affiliating with Ghana’s Trades Union Congress (TUC). The union has been integral in advancing the interests of its members by negotiating improved wages and working conditions, handling grievances, and ensuring harmonious relations between employers and employees. They’ve also established various welfare programs, including land acquisition assistance and legal services against unfair labor practices.
A major recent milestone is the establishment of the HSWU Fund Scheme in 2022, approved by the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA). The scheme provides retirement and service benefits, aiming to enhance the well-being of members. Key benefits include a pension for mandatory and voluntary retirement, death and incapacity benefits, and a partial withdrawal option after ten years of contributions. The fund also offers 24-hour online access, SMS notifications, and other services to help members stay informed and financially secure.
The union’s leadership is committed to addressing member concerns regarding contributions to the Fund Scheme, which has sparked mixed reactions. While some members have called for increased contributions, others have expressed displeasure about the deductions. The HSWU remains focused on educating its members and fostering understanding of the Fund’s long-term benefits.
In its ongoing mission, the union aims to maintain unity, teamwork, and professionalism, particularly during the annual HSWU Week, where members reflect on challenges and achievements in healthcare delivery. The HSWU’s vision is to continue being a formidable organization capable of providing leadership and ensuring good working relationships with employers to improve healthcare services nationwide.
As the HSWU continues to champion the cause of healthcare workers across Ghana, its focus on collective bargaining, welfare improvement, and member education remains pivotal. The union’s legacy of unity, strength, and resilience promises to guide its future endeavors as it navigates both the challenges and opportunities within Ghana’s evolving healthcare landscape.
By SavannahNewsOnline.Com/El Samuels
