The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of Ghana has formally inducted 7,842 newly qualified nurses, midwives, and nurse assistants from the southern zone of the country. These professionals form part of the over 32,000 candidates who successfully passed the Council’s Licensing Examinations held in August 2024 and April/May 2025. All inductees have been certified and licensed to practise.
Speaking at the induction ceremony held in Accra yesterday, the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh—through a speech delivered on his behalf by Hafez Adam, Director for Technical Coordination at the Ministry—reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding recruitment across health facilities. He noted that the Ministry of Health is actively collaborating with the Ministry of Finance to secure the requisite financial clearance to facilitate the absorption of more health professionals into the public sector.
“At the same time, we are exploring bilateral agreements with partner countries to facilitate the ethical and structured migration of Ghanaian nurses and midwives. “Agreements have already been signed with countries such as Grenada and the Bahamas, and discussions are ongoing with several others,” he said.
Mr Akandoh said the government was pursuing a people-centred health agenda focused on expanding access to free primary health care, uncapping the National Health Insurance Levy to ensure timely reimbursement to service providers and improving the sustainability of the NHIS. Others are improving the welfare of health workers, including affordable housing, vehicle tax waivers, and risk exposure insurance.
“I am deeply mindful of the challenges many of you continue to face,” the Minister stated. “The matter of conditions of service for nurses and midwives remains a pressing concern that I hold close to heart. We are actively engaging with the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association to ensure your grievances are addressed in a manner that is both fair and sustainable.” While congratulating the newly inducted professionals, Mr. Akandoh encouraged them to commit to lifelong learning, describing it not only as a professional imperative but also a moral responsibility.
The Registrar of the NMC, Philomina A. N. Wolley, addressing the inductees, said their licences were a badge of honour and symbol of the public’s trust in their ability to safeguard health and preserve life. She urged them to adhere to the Code of Conduct and Ethics of the profession, treating every patient and service user with respect, dignity and compassion. “Wearing the uniform is not enough; it is your conduct that truly defines you. You will be called upon to make complex decisions under pressure, often in situations where compassion and judgment are tested,” she said.
The Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Professor Peter Adatara, for his part, urged the inductees to uphold the highest ethical standards in their practice, respect the confidentiality and dignity of every patient and never compromise their values for convenience or personal gain. He further urged them to have compassion, approach every individual with kindness and humility, and be advocates for the vulnerable. He encouraged them to dream big and aspire to lead, to innovate, and to transform health care in the country and beyond.
Source: Juliet Akyaa Safo
