Health Minister inaugurates advisory boards for nursing, midwifery colleges; warns against breach of admission rules

Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister for Health has inaugurated Advisory Boards for Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges across Ghana, stressing the need for stronger governance, improved training quality, and strict adherence to regulatory standards within the country’s health education system.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the Minister described the event as a significant step toward repositioning health training institutions to meet the growing and evolving demands of Ghana’s healthcare sector.

“This ceremony is not merely an administrative exercise. It is a clear statement of our national commitment to strengthening the governance, quality, and strategic direction of health professional education in Ghana,” the Minister stated.

He emphasised that while infrastructure and equipment remain important, the quality of healthcare ultimately depends on the competence of health professionals trained within these institutions.

According to him, the government, under the Mahama administration, is prioritising reforms aimed at modernising health training institutions to respond to emerging health challenges, including the rise in non-communicable diseases, increased demand for emergency care, and the need for specialised services.

As part of these reforms, the Minister announced the introduction of six specialised post-basic Bachelor of Science nursing programmes in collaboration with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and the University of Cape Coast.

The programmes include Cardiology, Critical Care, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Oncology, and Emergency Nursing, and are being rolled out in selected institutions nationwide.

He further disclosed that government is working towards transitioning health training institutions into degree-awarding colleges to enhance academic standards and professional progression.

Currently, about 42 institutions have completed the necessary assessments and are awaiting accreditation to begin degree programmes.

To improve teaching quality, the Ministry has also secured scholarship opportunities for tutors to pursue PhD studies, with the first batch of beneficiaries expected to be announced soon.

On student welfare, the Minister noted that nursing trainee allowances are now being paid regularly and monthly.

He added that the government’s “No-Fee-Stress” policy, which covers first-year tertiary students, including nursing and midwifery trainees, is aimed at reducing financial barriers and expanding access to professional education.

However, the Minister issued a strong warning to principals of training institutions, directing them to strictly adhere to approved admission quotas and only enrol students into accredited programmes.

“Any Principal who disregards approved quotas or admits students into unaccredited programmes undermines quality assurance and the integrity of our health education system,” he cautioned.

He stressed that disciplinary action would be taken against any institutional head who flouts directives from the Ministry, adding that no institution should introduce new programmes without prior authorisation.

Turning to the newly inaugurated Advisory Board members, the Minister urged them to uphold transparency, accountability, and high academic standards while ensuring that institutions are managed in the national interest.

“You are being entrusted with an important governance mandate at a critical time. Your role is to provide oversight and strategic direction to ensure these institutions deliver quality outcomes,” he said.

He concluded by calling for collaboration, discipline, and a shared national vision in strengthening Ghana’s health training institutions to produce skilled, compassionate, and professional healthcare workers.

The inauguration forms part of broader efforts by the Ministry of Health to reform the country’s healthcare training system and improve service delivery nationwide.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith