The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) and the Ghanaian Diaspora Nursing Alliance (G-DNA) have both endorsed upgrading the training of nurses and midwives in Ghana to meet current trends and the country’s needs.
The President of GRNMA, Mrs. Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, reiterated the call to transition from diploma to baccalaureate-level nursing and to discontinue diploma and auxiliary nursing programs.
She emphasized that this change is based on substantial evidence showing the positive impact higher education has on patient care, safety, and outcomes. Upgrading the training will also enhance the competitiveness of Ghanaian nurses in America, Europe, and Asia, ensuring equity in remuneration and compensation.
This call follows a similar endorsement from the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), which recently advocated for the cancellation of certificate and diploma nursing programs, urging that all nursing education be elevated to the degree level. Prof. Ernest Yorke, Vice President of the GMA, described the current system as “bizarre” and emphasized the need for a more qualified nursing workforce.
The GRNMA further notes that adopting baccalaureate-level education will help Ghana meet global nursing and midwifery training standards. It will also enable the country to build a high-quality nursing and midwifery workforce, strengthening the health system and achieving Universal Health Coverage and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals.
G-DNA re-echoes the call
The G-DNA has long supported GRNMA’s advocacy for enhancing the training of nurses and midwives in Ghana. Led by President Mrs. Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, the association has consistently called for transitioning from diploma to baccalaureate-level nursing and discontinuing diploma and auxiliary nursing programs. This call is based on substantial evidence showing that higher education improves patient care, safety, and outcomes.
Upgrading to baccalaureate-level education will not only increase the global competitiveness of Ghanaian nurses but also ensure fair remuneration. It will align Ghana with international nursing and midwifery training standards, helping build a high-quality workforce.
To support this transition, the GRNMA has collaborated with international partners, such as the Ghanaian Diaspora Nursing Alliance (G-DNA), and local bodies like the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives (GCNM). These efforts aim to leverage the skills and knowledge of foreign-trained and diaspora-based Ghanaian nurses to advance nursing practice in Ghana.
Dr. Daniel Apau, Director of Education for G-DNA, emphasized that degree-level education for nurse/midwife clinicians significantly enhances their knowledge and competencies. This education equips them to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare using critical thinking, leadership, research, innovation, evidence-based practice, and advocacy.
– By Eugene Davis
