"Champion Free Primary Healthcare agenda in Ghana" - Deputy Health Minister urges nurses and midwives

Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, MP, has urged nursing and midwifery leaders to take a central role in advancing Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare agenda through research-driven practice and stronger community-level interventions.

She made the call when she opened the 7th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Leaders and Managers Conference 2026, held on the theme: “Bridging Research, Policy and Practice in Nursing and Midwifery to Advance Free Primary Healthcare in Ghana.”

Prof. Dr. Ayensu-Danquah said the theme was particularly timely as Ghana works towards strengthening access to essential healthcare services at the primary level.

According to her, research should not remain confined to academic institutions but must be translated into practical solutions capable of addressing health challenges within communities.

She therefore challenged nursing and midwifery leaders, managers, tutors and heads of training institutions to strengthen the link between research, policymaking and healthcare delivery.

Prof. Dr. Ayensu-Danquah explained that nurses and midwives occupy a strategic position in the healthcare system, particularly at the primary level, where early detection, prevention, health education and timely referrals can significantly improve health outcomes.

She noted that effective interventions at the community and primary healthcare levels could also help reduce unnecessary pressure on specialised and tertiary health facilities.

The Deputy Health Minister further stressed the importance of ensuring that evidence generated through research informs policies and, subsequently, translates into improved services for patients.

She said the conference provided an important platform for stakeholders to reflect on their experiences, share knowledge and engage in open dialogue on practical ways to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare delivery system.

Prof. Dr. Ayensu-Danquah also used the occasion to celebrate excellence within the nursing and midwifery profession, congratulating nominees and winners across the five award categories.

The categories included Clinical Excellence; Education and Research; Regulation; Leadership and Governance; and the Minister’s Award for Outstanding Contributions in Underserved Areas.

She commended the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), as well as nursing and midwifery training institutions for their continued commitment to professional development and the strengthening of primary healthcare.

Prof. Dr. Ayensu-Danquah reiterated that achieving meaningful progress in Free Primary Healthcare would require sustained collaboration among researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, training institutions and communities.

She said empowering nurses and midwives with the necessary knowledge, skills and support would be critical to ensuring that research and policy translate into accessible and effective healthcare services for people across Ghana.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith