Students of Bawku Presbyterian Nursing and Midwifery Training College appeal for reopening

By Anthony Adongo Apubeo

Bolgatanga, April 9, GNA – Students of the Presbyterian Nursing and Midwifery Training College in Bawku have appealed to government to take steps to immediately reopen the school for academic activities.

At a press conference, the leadership of the students expressed disappointment and frustration over the delay in the reopening of the school for the second semester and appealed to authorities to intervene.

“It has been a period of uncertainty and anxiety for us as students, we have been in limbo, unsure of when we can continue our education and training”, the students said while holding placards with inscriptions “our future is at stake, act now”, “we want to go back to school”, “we are tired of home”, “reopen our school now”, “don’t let our education suffer, act now” among others.

Mr James Akama and Ms Pearl Garse, Presidents, Mr Zakari Atiiga and Mr Imore Abdul-Shakur, Secretaries and Mr James Kuka and Minsuab Laar Bukari, Public Relations Officers of the Students Representative Council (SRC) addressed the students.

The College was officially closed down in November 2024 and has since not been reopened due to insecurity following the reemergence of the protracted Bawku chieftaincy conflict.

The students acknowledged the impact of the conflict on the security of the area but worried that their academic journey was hinged on the balance and urged the feuding factions in the conflict to prioritise the future of the youth and embrace peace.

“We are making a clarion call on the Presbyterian Church, a key stakeholder in the management of the college, and the Government of Ghana, the regulatory authority, to intervene swiftly to resolve the issues causing the delay. We urge all concerned parties to prioritise this matter and ensure that the necessary steps are taken to facilitate the immediate re-opening of the college”, they said.

Currently, the students stated, the final years who are preparing for their final upcoming examination were in great fear and panic as they were in the house without academic exercise while other colleges had resumed for the semester.

“We appeal for urgent intervention of the President of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu and the Interior Minister, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka to come to our aid for the immediate re-opening of the college for both campuses”, they added.

Due to the conflict, the College has been divided into two campuses where students from the different Bawku feuding factions live separately from each other on the campuses.

GNA

FAA/GRB