Gloria Achempim-Ansong urges investment in specialist nursing training

Dr. Gloria Achempim-Ansong, the Rector of the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives (GCNM), has made a strong appeal for increased investment in the specialist training of nurses and midwives to address Ghana's growing healthcare needs. Speaking at the college’s 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM), Dr. Achempim-Ansong highlighted that meeting national health targets requires a deliberate focus on expanding the capacity of professionals who provide specialized care. She emphasized that the current demand for healthcare services necessitates a corresponding growth in the number of trained specialists across various medical disciplines.

The Rector specifically pointed to the urgent need for enhanced infrastructure and the provision of modern resources to support training programs. While the GCNM currently offers a wide range of programs designed to bridge the gap in healthcare delivery, Dr. Achempim-Ansong noted that these efforts must be backed by sustainable funding and improved facilities. She argued that without significant investment in training environments, the college’s ability to produce the volume of experts required by the country's health sector would remain constrained.

Reinforcing these sentiments, the keynote speaker at the event, Dr. Eva Mensah from the Ghana Health Service, underscored the relationship between adequate staffing and health system resilience. Dr. Mensah noted that a well-resourced and properly staffed nursing and midwifery workforce is essential for maintaining the stability of Ghana's healthcare infrastructure during periods of crisis. The AGM also served as a platform for the induction of new members into the college and the presentation of awards to outstanding residents who have demonstrated excellence in their specialist training.

The call for funding comes at a time when the healthcare sector is increasingly seeking to decentralize specialist care and improve maternal and child health outcomes. As the GCNM continues to expand its curriculum to include more specialized fields, the leadership maintains that government and stakeholder support will be the deciding factor in whether the institution can effectively meet its mandate. The successful induction of new specialists at the meeting marks a step forward, but the college maintains that long-term resilience depends on a robust financial commitment to nursing education.