The unyielding stance by President John Mahama not to pay a dime beyond what has been budgeted for as wages, allowances and salaries for public sector workers has angered striking doctors and allied health service workers.
Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr Justice Yankson has refused to comment on the president's latest remark except to say "I will respect my person and will not get into a banter with the president."
He would rather go into petty trading than be forced to return to the consulting room without acceptable conditions of service.
Addressing members of the Ghana Registered Midwives Association, GRWA at the launch of their 80th anniversary in Accra, president John Mahama said "Any agreements that are reached in respect of allowances or conditions of services would have to be appropriately captured in the budget.
"And I want to say for emphasis I will not authorize any expenditure on wages and compensation not provided for in the budget."
He does not want to break the spine of the Single Spine Salary Structure.
But the doctors are unfazed by the president's position on the matter. If anything, they are angry and have decided to carry through with their strike and possibly mass resignation.
Dr Justice Yankson told Joy News Matilda Wemegah they will withdraw emergency services on August 7, 2015 as they intensify a one-week strike action which has seen them withdraw OPD services.
They are preparing to resign en masse if their demands for conditions of service are not provided. In a move that will leave patients on bended knees, resident medical officers and house officers at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital have, after emergency meetings, today, given their full backing to the striking doctors.
They are also threatening to join the striking doctors.
The House officers normally handle minor cases in the absence of the doctors.
Meanwhile, labour expert Mohammed Affum has chided the president for the comment he made.
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