GMA Strike Unaffected by Rock City's Bid Withdrawal, Says Dr. Richard Selormey

The General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Richard Selormey, says Rock City's decision to withdraw its bid to purchase 60% of SSNIT's stake in hotels will not affect the association's decision to withdraw its services.

Public Health Services face a total shutdown in the coming days as the GMA urges its members to follow a roadmap to a nationwide strike called by Organised Labour.

The roadmap prescribes the complete withdrawal of all services – from Out-Patient Department care to Emergency Services, culminating in the total withdrawal of all services by July 22.

After the announcement, Rock City Hotel, which has been at the center of the controversy, has since withdrawn its bid to purchase 60% of SSNIT's stake in four hotels.

In a statement on Friday, the hotel's management indicated that "Flowing from all the commentary monitored and the undue negativity that has attended this commentary, we feel you have not done enough to engage all your stakeholders, leading to perceptions that we don't want to be associated with our brand."

"We believe that such negativity is not only injurious to our brand but also jeopardises the success of the investment we intend to make in these hotels."

On the back of this, Rock City has informed SSNIT "of our decision to withdraw our bid and discontinue our pursuit of this investment opportunity."

But speaking on JoyFM's Top Story on July 12, the GMA secretary said this new development will not affect their actions.

He argued that if they failed to address the issue at its roots, another company would also be in the wings attempting to buy the hotels.

“We want to ensure that Rock City stops that whole process, it is not about we have heard some rumours in the media that Rock City has withdrawn its bid. I mean another company could be on the line to buy it. We are saying it is not about Rock City, it is not about anybody.

"Do not sell the 60% shares in those hotels. Let them manage them properly and let us maintain those assets properly so that they can return the investment that we have put into this,” he said.