The Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Nsiah Asare, has described as unfortunate the suspension of a nursing mother of the Odumase CHPS Compound for breastfeeding her child at work.
“I was shocked to my bones,” he said of the incident Thursday July 13, 2017 on Morning Starr.
Rita Adu-Kyie the lactating mother in question was given a two-week suspension by the Municipal Director of Health Services there Martin Osafo Osei on July 5, 2017 for carrying out her motherly duty.
According to the letter of suspension, the community health nurse will forfeit part of her July salary as part of her punishment.
“My outfit is suspending you from work for two (2) weeks with immediate effect due to your refusal to take verbal instructions from me not to bring your baby to work,” Mr. Osei’s letter to Ms. Adu-Kyei read in part.
After breaking the news Wednesday on Starrfmonline.com, the Ghana Health Service in Accra said the suspension has been terminated.
Commenting on the development, Dr. Asare disclosed that the revocation of the suspension will not be the end of the matter and that Mr. Osei will be hauled before the leadership of the service to respond to queries regarding his sadistic conduct.
Also, he assured that the service is committed to promoting breastfeeding in the country.
According to the Labour Act (Act 651) of Ghana, Section – 57: “(6) A nursing mother is entitled to interrupt her work for an hour during her working hours to nurse her baby.
(7) Interruptions of work by a nursing mother for the purpose of nursing her baby shall be treated as working hours and paid for accordingly.
(8) An employer shall not dismiss a woman worker because of her absence from work on maternity leave.
(9) In this Part” (b) “nursing mother” means a woman with a child suckling at her breast for a period of not more than one year.”
