By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu, GNA
Bolgatanga, June 6, GNA – Professor Vida Nyagre Yakong, the Deputy Registrar in charge of Operations of the Health Facilities Regulatory Authority (HeFRA), has urged newly admitted students of the Bolgatanga Nursing Training College to uphold integrity, compassion, and professionalism throughout their training and future careers.
Addressing the matriculation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic year, Professor Yakong described nursing as a noble profession built on trust and service and told the students that their conduct would shape public confidence in healthcare delivery.
“You are not just students. You are professionals-in-training. Whether you will become nurses or health tutors, you are entering fields where trust is your main currency,” she told the fresh students.
Speaking on integrity, she cautioned students against examination malpractice, forged signatures, and other unethical practices.
“Integrity means doing what is right even when no one is watching,” she said, adding that students would face temptations throughout their academic journey but must protect their reputation at all costs.
The Deputy Registrar outlined what she called the “three pillars of professional life”, integrity, compassion, and professionalism, which she said should guide every nursing student from the first day of training.
She stressed that technical competence alone was not enough to make a good nurse, “You will master anatomy, mathematics, pedagogy, and laboratory procedures. But your greatest skill must be compassion,” she noted.
According to Professor Yakong, compassion was demonstrated through simple acts of kindness, patience and support for patients and colleagues.
She stated that professionalism extended beyond the classroom and clinical settings, “From today, your conduct on campus, on social media and in town shapes the image of your profession. Build a reputation now that you will be proud of in 20 years,” she advised.
Drawing from her own experience as a former student of the institution between 1996 and 1999, Professor Yakong encouraged the matriculants to cultivate discipline, perseverance, humility, and resilience to achieve academic success.
“It takes good management of your activities, respect, hard work, academic and professional integrity, humility, assertiveness, determination, perseverance, resilience and patience to maintain discipline for a successful completion of your programme,” she stated.
The HeFRA official further urged the fresh students to identify mentors who could guide them through the challenges of nursing education and professional practice.
As part of her speech as the Special Guest of Honour for the ceremony, she paid tribute to the late former principal of the college, Mr Sayimah Kombia, describing him as a mentor whose legacy continued to inspire generations of nurses.
The Professor charged the students to become problem-solvers rather than mere certificate holders, saying, “Ghana does not need more certificate holders. Ghana needs problem solvers,
“As you step forward to sign the matriculation register in a few minutes, sign with confidence. You belong here. You were chosen for a purpose. Go forth and serve,” Professor Yakong told the newly matriculated students.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu