At the ceremony, which was held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Oda Methodist Conference Hall, over four hundred (450) graduates received diplomas in a range of health-related fields, including Public Health Nursing, Nurse Assistant Preventive (NAP) and Post Nursing Assistant Clinical (NAC) & Nurse Assistant Preventive (NAP) Midwifery.
Dr. David Tenkorang Twum, the General Secretary of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GNMA), graced the occasion as the special guest of honor.
Inspiring Graduates
In his keynote speech, he exhorted the graduates to dedicate themselves fully to their jobs to enhance the healthcare system in the country, emphasizing their critical role in preserving lives.
He says that the graduates have been equipped with the skills and knowledge to make a positive impact; therefore, they should go into the healthcare field and serve the communities with passion and commitment.
“As a healthcare provider, your primary responsibility is to preserve lives; thus, regardless of the circumstances, you must be able to care for patients who visit your facility,” he noted.
Additionally, he advocated for the hiring of recent nursing and midwifery graduates as soon as possible, pointing out that the nature of their profession is practical and that spending time at home would cause them to forget a significant portion of what they have learned.
Upgrade of Diploma Nursing Programs
Mr. Tenkorang also proposed the elimination of certificate and diploma nursing programs, advocating for the elevation of all nursing education to the degree level.
According to him, this significant shift aims to address the challenges in the country’s healthcare sector by ensuring a more qualified and professional nursing workforce.
Dr. Twume contended that Ghana has the educational institutions and resources necessary to enact norms akin to those in other nations, where registered nurses and midwives are obliged to possess a first degree.
The School’s Devotion
The principal of the school, Mr. James Abekah-Baah, expressed pride in the graduates’ achievements, highlighting the school’s commitment to producing high-quality healthcare professionals.
“Our graduates have undergone rigorous training, both theoretical and practical, to prepare them for the challenges of community healthcare. “We are confident they will make valuable contributions to Ghana’s healthcare sector,” he said.
He advised the graduates to stay updated with industry developments, uphold professional ethics, and strive for excellence in their chosen careers.
Appeal
Mr. Abekah-Baah appealed to the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to assist in providing more classroom and dormitory blocks to cope with the increasing number of students.
In addition, he made a plea for extra residential housing for tutors and a new bus to replace the school’s 32-year-old rickety bus, which was grounded.
He said the bus, which was donated by the Japanese government in 1989, could no longer carry students for clinical lessons after its engine had been replaced seven times.
The principal advised the first-year students to follow the school’s rules, behave well, and dedicate a lot of study time in order to achieve their goals, just like the recently graduated alumni had done.
Award Presentations
The ceremony featured cultural performances and award presentations.
Some notable award winners included Jared Awerewaa Nyarkoa, who triumphed in Best Graduating Nurse Assistant (Preventive); Ruth Sabbattina Afful, who achieved the accolade of Best Public Health Nursing; and Millicent Abankwah, who won Best Graduation Student in Post NAP/NAC Midwifery. Moreover, Millicent Abankwah was named valedictorian (overall student).
In an interview with Daily Searchlight, some of the graduates urged the government to grant them approval to enter the workforce sooner so they could assist in providing healthcare to the nation’s citizens. Others vow to accept postings, regardless of remote locations.
With this new batch of graduates, Oda CHTS continues its legacy of producing skilled healthcare professionals dedicated to improving community health and well-being.
