Health Minister inaugurates College of Nurses and Midwives Governing Council

The minister swearing in the 12 member Governing Council in Accra Accra, April 3, GNA - Mr Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Health, on Wednesday inaugurated the Governing Council of Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives with a charge to them to promote quality nursing.

They should ensure continuous professional development in the various clinical, and sub clinical specialties in nursing and midwifery in the country.

The 12- member Governing Council would also be responsible for the planning and the establishment of the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives.

Ms Ayittey noted that nurses and midwives constitute more than 60 per cent of the health workforce and had more patient contact than any other group of health officials, hence the need to upgrade their skills and practices.

She noted that the establishment of the Council was born out of the need to respond to the ever-changing health dynamics of the nation's population.

The Minister expressed the need for specialised training to build up competences and skills towards quality improvement in nursing and midwifery.

She pledged government's commitment towards expanding the Midwifery and Nursing Colleges and establish new ones.

'We would also work with the Council to re-introduce the Certificate Midwifery and Training programme and also in conjunction with the private sector establish more facilities for the training of auxiliary nurses to lower the current patient-nurse ratio.'

She said Government would also provide opportunities for nurses, including those under the National Youth Employment Programme to move up the professional ladder.

Mrs Marian Hornsby-Odoi retired Director of Nursing Services who was the Chairperson for the occasion, noted that the Council was the first of its kind in West Africa and urged the members to work diligently to help improve the standard of nursing and midwifery care.

'I am happy to announce that the Council has also been mandated to promote specialist education for General Nurses, Public Health Nurses, Psychiatric  Nurses and Midwives to improve the quality of health care services for all Ghanaians', she said.

She appealed to nurses and midwives to support the Council and make full use of the College when it is established.

'I trust that the College once established, would be managed by qualified nurses and midwives from the highest to the lowest level,' she said.

The Council would among other things implement policies, mobilise, control and supervise the finances and estate of the College, which would be established to admit members.

It will also recommend members in good standing to be admitted as Fellows of the College.

The 12-member council includes Professor Kodjo Amedjorteh Senah, Chairman of Council; Dr Mrs Jemimah Dennis-Antwi, President of the College; Mrs Faustina Oware Gyegye, Representative of West African College of Nursing and Dr Mary Opare, Representative of Private Universities.

The rest are Mr George Kumi-Kyeremeh, Representative from Ministry of Health; Dr Ernestina Donkor Representative of Deans of Training Schools; Reverend Veronica Darko, Nurses and Midwives Council; Mrs Ruth Gyan, Representative from Private Nursing Training Institutions and Mrs Bertha Sogah, Presidential Nominee.

Others include Mrs Joyce Jetuah representative from the Ghana Registered Midwives Association; Madam Frederica Salla Iliasu a representative from the Attorney-General's Department and Mr Kwaku Asante Krobea, a representative from the Ghana Registered Nurses Association.

Prof Kodjo Amedjorth Senah, on behalf of the Council expressed his appreciation to government for the trust reposed in them and pledged to work assiduously for the betterment of nursing in the country. GNA