By Godfred A. Polkuu
Bolgatanga, May 05, GNA – Mr Williams Sebil, the Principal of the Nursing Training College at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, has appealed to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to undertake regular visits to Health Training Institutions across the country.
He said it would enable the Committee to gain insight into operational realities of the training institutions and help address their challenges to enable them churn out highly qualified health professionals to beef up healthcare delivery in the country.
“Such visits will give policymakers firsthand insight into our operational realities, help bridge the gap between policy and practice and strengthen collaboration towards building a resilient and responsive nursing workforce,” he said.
The Principal, who was speaking at a matriculation ceremony for first-and second-year students at the College, said management received a total of 968 applications for first year students for the 2023/2024 academic year and 709 applications for second years for the 2024/2025 academic year.
Out of the numbers, only 350 and 366 candidates respectively were admitted, “This clearly reflects our commitment to maintaining high academic and professional standards. Many applied, but only a few were chosen,” he said.
He cautioned the fresh men and women that the College would not compromise on quality, and that management was committed to producing only “well-trained, disciplined, and competent nurses.
“Anyone who cannot meet the required academic and professional standards will not be allowed to continue, no matter the source of external pressure. We owe that duty not only to the Ghana Health Service, but to the mothers, children and patients you will serve in the future,” he said.
Mr Sebil admonished the students to show genuine interest in being trained to ensure their success, urging them to attend lectures regularly, study hard, participate actively in clinical sessions, obey rules and develop the right attitudes.
The Principal, stated that the government’s decision to maintain the allowance for nursing trainees was not just a financial intervention, but a testament to the value placed on the profession and the critical role the trainees would be playing in the healthcare system.
“This allowance eases the burden on students and families, enabling them to focus on their training with dedication and peace of mind. We urge the government to sustain this noble initiative, which directly contributes to the development of a skilled and motivated healthcare workforce for our nation,” he said.
Mr Sebil said the College depended solely on school fees for its development and noted that the irregular and slow payment of fees by students and guardians continued to delay many important projects that affected the College’s growth pace.
He, therefore, appealed to parents and guardians to cooperate with management by paying school fees promptly, saying “This is not just a financial responsibility, but an investment in the future of your wards and the nursing profession in Ghana”.
The Principal said management of the College was not oblivious that some students were genuinely needy and used the occasion to call on Municipal and District Assemblies, Non-Governmental Organisations, philanthropists and other stakeholders to come to the aid of such students with scholarships and financial support schemes.
He commended the government for its unwavering commitment to nursing education and appealed to other stakeholders to support the College to deliver on its mandate of churning out highly skilled professional nurses for the country and beyond.
GNA
FAA/CAA