By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Nov 26, GNA-The Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC) has topped off its 2025 induction ceremony with a colourful session in Cape Coast, reiterating its caution against the unprofessional conduct of some nurses and midwives on social media.
Without mincing words, Mrs Philomina A.N Woolley, the Registrar of the Council, denounced the use of nursing uniforms to create unapproved and sometimes, misleading contents on social media, describing it as unprofessional.
“As professional nurses and midwives, we need to use social media well but now what is happening is that a lot of us are content creators.
“Whatever you put there, no one reviews them and sometimes what you put there is even wrong, and you wear your uniform and be on TikTok and others and say anything,” she said.
“This is not professional. Social media does not forget and therefore whatever you put there remains there for life. We should be careful with whatever we put out on social media,” she cautioned.
The fourth and final session ushered in more than 3,000 nurse assistants, nurses and midwives from the Central, Western, Western North and parts of the Greater Accra Regions to crown the induction of 32,150 licensed professionals nationwide.
Dr Mary Ama Opare, Chairperson of the 16th Governing Board of the N&MC, led the inductees to take their professional oaths in a euphoric atmosphere of joy, hope and promise.
Ms Andorful Kirsten Abena Amponsah was awarded the best candidate in Registered Community Mental Health Nursing while Ms Emma Botchey emerged the best candidate in Registered Public Health Nursing.
Mrs Woolley entreated the fresh health professionals to adhere to the code of conduct and ethics of the profession and practice dutifully with integrity, emphasising the indispensable role of nurses and midwives in the healthcare system.
She observed that the Ghana Health Service and some health facilities had been dragged to court on countless occasions due to the negligence of some nurses and midwives.
“We should not work parallel to our code of conduct. It should be part of our daily activities so that you will not fall foul of the law,” she stressed.
The N&MC Registrar, congratulating the inductees on their achievements, reminded them to treat all patients and service users with respect, dignity and compassion, putting their safety and wellbeing first.
She charged them to work with honesty, stay informed, prioritise accountability, be resilient and commit to teamwork.
“I entreat you to embrace education, seek mentorship, and engage in reflective practice. Never allow your knowledge to stagnate. Instead, pursue excellence through continuous improvement,” Mrs Woolley added.
Dr Mrs Alberta Biritwum-Nyarko, the Central Regional Director of Health Services, noted that the quality of the healthcare system was dependent on the professionalism, empathy and vigilance of nurses.
Consequently, she challenged them to practice patient-centred care, commitment to professionalism and lifelong learning, and uphold the code of conduct.
“Embrace your role with prudence, adhere strictly to prescribed guidelines and constantly seek collaborative consultation when needed,” she said.
Dr Gladys Dzansi, a Senior Lecturer with the Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, who served as the Guest of Honour, walked the inductees through her journey of becoming a transformational change maker.
She urged them to blend discipline, compassion, competence and optimism to leave indelible impact in their professional journey.
She further encouraged them to be innovative and deploy technology effectively to enhance the experience of patients.
“Works smart, don’t work too hard. Technology, when used properly, will make you better,” she explained.
Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, the Central Regional Minister, in a statement delivered on his behalf, indicated that the delivery of quality health care remained a key priority in government’s commitment to strengthening the human capital of the country.
To that end, he said government was investing in expanding health infrastructure, improving teaching and learning environment, and enhancing opportunities for professional advancement for nurses and midwives.
“Under the leadership of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, government has demonstrated a strong commitment to strengthening the nursing and midwifery profession through strategic investments and policy reforms,” he said.
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“Government is further reviewing training allowances, supporting institutions with transport to ease mobility and would implement the 2024 to 2028 Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Plan to improve education, career development, research, leadership and service delivery,” he touted.
The Minister also announced efforts by government to improve the conditions of service for nurses and midwives.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Lydia Kukua Asamoah