Certificate, diploma for nurses must be cancelled; the majority of nurse must be degree-prepared – GRNMA

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has proposed the cancellation of certificate and diploma training for nurses in the country.

The Association wants institutions in the country to train only degree nurses to work in various health institutions.

Speaking to Joy News in an interview, the General Secretary of the GRNMA, Dr David Tenkorang Twum said the Association also wants midwives to be trained to have degrees.

“We think that the majority must be degree-prepared. We have to cancel certificate programmes, we have to cancel diploma programmes, and train nurses and midwives at the degree level,” Dr David Tenkorang Twum said.

He continued, “We have the human resources and the schools so we can do that.”

Asked what would happen to health professionals working with certificates and diplomas, Dr David Tenkorang Twum said they should not be sacked to go home.

He said these personnel must undergo training to upgrade to the degree level.

“If we cancel the training of diploma and certificate, we can upgrade the knowledge of those who are here,” Prof. Dr David Tenkorang Twum said.

Dr David Tenkorang Twum in his interview disclosed that Ghana currently faces a problem with inadequate degree nurses and midwives.

He said the nursing and midwifery profession has now seen the career being hijacked by these auxiliary nurses, contributing almost 60% of the workforce.