The Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives (GCNM) has held its 10th Annual General Meeting and 5th Scientific Conference on Tuesday in Gomoa Fetteh with the theme: “Enhancing Specialist Nursing and Midwifery Practice: A Call for Investment, Collaboration and Innovation.”
Speaking on behalf of the Health Minister, Mr Desmond Boateng, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, stated that the Ministry remains committed to expanding postgraduate pathways in partnership with the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives.
“Our aim is to ensure that every region of our country benefits from specialist services, and that professional advancement is matched by improved service delivery across all levels of care,” he added.
He observed that the practice of specialist nursing and midwifery thrives when professionals collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams.
“We must therefore deepen collaboration between Government agencies and regulatory bodies to define and protect specialist roles; Academia and service institutions to bridge the gap between classroom training and practical service delivery; and between Ghanaian and international institutions to share experiences, innovations, and best practices. Through such partnerships, we can harmonise standards, enhance patient outcomes, and foster a professional culture grounded in respect, teamwork, and excellence,” he added.
The President of GCNM, Prof. Victoria B. Bam, stated that addressing global health goals and the national health sector’s objectives requires significantly more investment in human and material resources. She noted that innovative approaches, including the use of technology and collaboration at various levels with multidisciplinary stakeholders, are essential to expand specialist training and the delivery of specialised care.
Prof. Adelaide Maria Ansah Ofei stated in her address that nurses and midwives remain the backbone of healthcare delivery.
“We constitute over 70% of Ghana’s health workforce, and within that number lies an extraordinary cadre of specialists—professionals with deep expertise in perioperative nursing, critical care, mental health, oncology, neonatal intensive care, maternal and reproductive health, and many more,” she emphasised.
She added that the 10th anniversary was just about looking back. It is about looking forward with boldness.
“If we invest, collaborate, and innovate, the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives will not only celebrate its 20th, 30th, and 50th anniversaries, but it will be remembered as the College that transformed healthcare in Ghana,” she noted.
On her part, the Rector of GCNM, Dr Gloria Achempim-Ansong, said that GCNM is mandated to provide specialist and postgraduate education in nursing and midwifery, as well as continuous professional education, and contribute to policy formulation for improved healthcare outcomes.
She stated that GCNM continue to record steady increases in admissions.
“In the 2024/2025 academic year, 580 nurses and midwives were enrolled, an improvement over the 386 admitted in the 2023/2024 academic year. Our resident population rose from 777 in August 2024 to 969 in February 2025, before slightly reducing to 957 in August 2025 due to the ongoing migration challenge. Admissions for 2025/2026, which began in March, just ended with a total of 833 nurses and midwives admitted into the associate membership and membership programmes,” she emphasised.
Dr Achempim-Ansong added that the lack of sponsorship for residency programmes was one of the main obstacles they face, noting that because specialised education is expensive, many residents find it difficult to afford it.
She pleaded with the Minister for better funding, more paid study leave, and intentional policies to promote specialisation. Additionally, she led efforts to develop our permanent office complex on a 2-acre plot of land at the University of Ghana.
Grace Acheampong, ISD
