By Godfred A. Polkuu
Bolgatanga, April 08, GNA – Two members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) have been nominated by President John Dramani Mahama as Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) in the Upper East Region.
The practicing nurses; Mr Stephen Aeke Akurugo and Mr Isaac Azunaba, were nominated Chief Executives for the Kassena-Nankana West District and the Bawku Municipality respectively, out of the 15 MDCE nominees for the Region.
Following the nomination, nurses, and midwives, especially members of the GRNMA across the Region, took to various social media platforms to congratulate their colleagues and wish them well in their new positions.
Mr Francis Tibil, a Tutor at the Nursing and Midwifery Training College at Zuarungu, wrote “Congrats for being nominated as MCE for Bawku. We in the nursing fraternity are proud of you and optimistic you would deliver with your vast experience.”
Dr Vida Nyagre Yakong, Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University for Development Studies (UDS), wrote “Nurses are making it this time. Congratulations. We are proud of you.”
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on their nominations, Mr Samuel Alagkora Akolgo, the First Vice President of the GRNMA, described the nomination of members as “refreshing news,” and indicated, “It is the Union that is apolitical but not its members.”
He said there was no law that forbade a nurse or midwife from active party politics but cautioned that although members of the GRNMA were free to participate in active party politics, their participation should not conflict with their official duties as nurses or midwives.
“For our members to be actively involved in party politics, it is good news for us because we must place ourselves in the various sectors so that our interest can be properly protected. “Whether we like it or not, political decisions feed into our practice,” he said.
Mr Akolgo, who is also a Chief Anaesthetist, on behalf of leadership of the Association, congratulated all nurses and midwives who got nominations into political offices and wished them well.
The nominees in separate interviews with the GNA, thanked President Mahama for the nomination, and expressed their willingness to work and ensure that the “Reset Agenda” of the Mahama-led-government trickled down to their respective jurisdictions.
Mr Akurugo told the GNA that if approved by the Assembly Members in his District, residents should expect an open-door leadership which would tap on the contributions of residents to propel fair and equitable distribution of development projects across the District.
He stressed the need for peace in the District and noted that although he had plans to develop all sectors in the District, especially the road network, the plan could not be achieved without peace in the area, “Without peace, whatever plans I have cannot be executed.”
On his part, Mr Azunaba, also emphasized need for peace in the Bawku Municipality and its environs, “The critical issue in Bawku is for us to ensure peace. I will work hard to ensure we get lasting peace in Bawku.”
Mr Azunaba who will Chair the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) if approved, noted the critical role of peace in the development of Bawku and reiterated need for peaceful coexistence among residents.
GNA
FAA/KOA