The Rector of the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives (GCNM), Dr Gloria Achempim-Ansong, has appealed to the government and corporate institutions to support the College in constructing a permanent administrative building to enhance its operations.
Speaking at the 10th Annual General Meeting and 5th Scientific Conference of the College, held at the Pentecost Convention Centre in Gomoa Fetteh on Tuesday, October 7, Dr Achempim-Ansong revealed that the College currently operates from a temporary office space provided by the Ministry of Health.
“At the moment, I would say we are perching in a building that has been given to us by the Ministry of Health, the Health Training Institutions Building,” she said.
“We also want to develop our own permanent site so we can put up a permanent administrative building.”
The Rector said a permanent facility would allow the College to expand its programmes, improve coordination of training activities, and strengthen its administrative systems.
She noted that despite the infrastructure limitations, the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives continues to play a vital role in developing specialist nurses and midwives for the country’s healthcare system.
“The College trains specialist nursing and midwifery health workforce that’s the mandate of the College,” she said.
“We are also involved in continuous professional development as well as policy formulation.”
Since its establishment in 2013, Dr Achempim-Ansong said the College has trained over 800 nurses and midwives in various specialty areas, adding that these professionals are “making a great impact on our healthcare system in Ghana.”
She, however, expressed concern about the financial burden many nurses and midwives face in enrolling for specialist programmes.
“We need sponsorship for these nurses and midwives who enroll into the College because the fees are a little bit expensive,” she said.
“Some of these nurses and midwives are coming from underserved areas, and to serve as a motivation, we think that they need to be sponsored to embark on this programme.”
Beyond specialist training, the Rector said the College continues to contribute significantly to public health through the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
“We are playing a key role in the management as well as prevention of non-communicable diseases. We have a lot of faculties that train specialist nurses and midwives to help prevent these NCDs and promote the health and well-being of the general population.”
Dr Achempim-Ansong appealed to the Ministry of Health, corporate organisations, and development partners to assist in funding the construction of a permanent office complex and to support training through scholarships and sponsorships.
“We entreat the Ministry and all corporate organisations to come to our aid, support GCNM, and help us build a better GCNM to promote healthcare in Ghana, Africa, and beyond,” she urged.
