In a landmark move to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare delivery, the Ministry of Health has announced it will sponsor 15 nursing and midwifery educators for PhD training this year. The initiative is part of a strategic plan to upgrade the national health workforce and elevate more professionals to the highest academic levels within the next four years.
Investing in Academic Excellence
Speaking at the 6th Nursing and Midwifery Excellence and Hall of Fame Awards in Tamale, Health Minister Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh emphasized that the goal is to ensure the health workforce is “well-trained, well-equipped, well-supported, and fairly rewarded.”
By providing PhD sponsorship, the Ministry aims to bolster the leadership and educational capacity within the sector, ensuring that those training the next generation of caregivers are themselves at the forefront of medical and academic advancement.
A Vow for Better Working Conditions
Beyond academic upgrades, the Minister pledged to tackle systemic challenges that have long plagued the health sector, including:
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Staff Migration: Addressing the factors that lead professionals to seek work abroad.
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Workplace Safety: Ensuring that health workers feel protected while performing their duties.
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Fair Compensation: Working toward better conditions and rewards for the difficult work performed by staff.
The Minister also condemned all forms of abuse against health professionals. He stressed that while workers often operate under “very difficult conditions,” grievances should be resolved through proper complaint channels rather than confrontation.
“Our health workers must feel safe and supported,” Hon. Akandoh stated, while urging professionals to maintain the integrity of their calling.
Honoring the “Hall of Fame”
The advocacy for a better health sector was highlighted by the celebration of excellence in clinical practice, research, and service in deprived communities. The event saw the induction of three distinguished personalities into the Nursing and Midwifery Hall of Fame, an honor the Minister described as a “statement of national pride.”
To ensure this momentum continues, the Ministry has pledged to institutionalize these awards, making the recognition of excellence a permanent fixture in the effort to boost morale and professional standards across Ghana.
source: Ghana Health Service
