GRNMA condemns managers charging student nurses fees before signing their clinical logbooks

Mr Samuel Alagkora Akolgo, the First Vice President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), has expressed outright disgust over reports that some ward managers are charging students fees before signing their clinical logbooks.

Speaking at a seminar at Pusu-Namongo to mark International Women's Day, Mr Akolgo, who is also a veteran anaesthetist and legal counsel for the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Northern Sector, labelled the practice as a “disease” and a stain on the profession.

He noted that the very managers engaging in the unprofessional conduct were beneficiaries of a more supportive era of nursing education, and therefore, found it unfathomable that senior staff would exploit students who were already struggling financially.

“That is the lowest you should go as a nurse manager. If you are one of those charging students or you are contemplating doing it, please, don't. You are disgracing yourself,” the visibly disappointed First Vice President said.

Mr Akolgo highlighted the irony of the situation, pointing out that previous generations of nurses enjoyed significant financial security as compared to today's students.

He recalled that student allowances were roughly half of a full nurse's salary and indicated that only 40 per cent of that allowance went to feeding and lodging, leaving 60 per cent for the student.

He said unlike those days, students now faced rising costs and financial instability.

“You are now using the great privilege God offered us in those days to milk innocent students,” he said, and urged managers to remember their roots and support the next generation rather than exploiting them.

Beyond financial exploitation, Mr Akolgo further cautioned nursing and midwifery managers against the harassment of junior staff.

He emphasized the importance of building a culture of trust and accessibility within the workplace.

“Please, do not use your position to molest the junior ones. Let them feel comfortable coming to you, rather than going to the Health Service Administrator,” he advised.

The event, held in the Talensi District, brought together GRNMA members and stakeholders under the theme: “Give to Gain: The Role of Giving in Fostering Gender Equality Leading to Collective Advancement Where When Women Thrive, We All Rise.”

The seminar focused on how empowering women and juniors in the healthcare sector leads to a “collective rise” for the entire profession.

Speakers at the seminar discussed several critical topics regarding the advancement of nursing and midwifery in the Upper East Region.

GNA