The Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives (GCNM) held its Top-Up Induction ceremony for Associate Members and Fellows by examination, marking a significant milestone in the training of specialist health professionals in the country.

The two-day event, held from March 17 to 18 at the University of Ghana Business School, saw a total of 552 nurses and midwives inducted into the College.

A key highlight of the ceremony was the induction of the first batch of Fellows through examination, a move described as a major step towards strengthening clinical leadership and faculty development within the profession.

Speaking at the event, the President of GCNM, Professor Victoria Bam, described the ceremony as a turning point for the College.

“Today’s induction ceremony marks an important milestone… where we will be inducting our first batch of fellows by examination into the college,” she said.

She explained that the move is aimed at building a strong faculty base to expand specialist training and improve healthcare delivery.

“It is a significant step… to develop faculty to facilitate its programmes and expand access to specialist education and healthcare services,” she added.

Prof Bam warned that without adequate support, access to specialist care could remain limited.

“To train the required numbers… I make a passionate appeal… to support the training of residents,” she said.

Delivering the keynote address, a nurse educator and health systems expert at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Prof Peter Adatara said Ghana must begin to rethink how its health workforce is structured.

“The theme… ‘Building the Future Health Workforce: A Call for Strategic Investments in Specialist Nursing and Midwifery Education,’ is both timely and critical,” he said.

He pointed to growing global and local health pressures, including non-communicable diseases, emerging infections and climate-related health risks.

“Globally, health systems face increasing pressure… and the world could face a shortage of about 11 million health workers by 2030, with the largest gaps in Africa,” he noted.

According to him, Ghana’s response must go beyond increasing numbers to building expertise.

“Specialist nursing and midwifery education is no longer a luxury; it is a strategic necessity,” Prof Adatara said.

He explained that strengthening specialist training would improve patient care, safety, and overall health system performance.

Prof Adatara placed strong emphasis on the need for intentional decisions to shape the country’s healthcare future.

“The future of healthcare in Ghana depends on how intentionally we invest in our health workforce today,” he said.

He added that improving healthcare outcomes requires collaboration across government, academia and development partners.

“This is not merely an investment in education; it is an investment in national health security, healthcare quality and population well-being,” he noted.

Addressing the newly inducted members, Prof Adatara reminded them that their achievement comes with responsibility.

“You are now part of a distinguished community committed to excellence, leadership and service,” he said.

He urged them to lead innovation, mentor others, and promote evidence-based practice.

“Leadership in healthcare is defined not only by position but by impact,” he added.

On her part, the Rector of GCNM, Dr. Gloria Achempim-Ansong, outlined the College’s growth since its inception, noting that it now runs 22 programmes with over 1,400 residents across the country.

She said the College has expanded from just three teaching hospitals to 65 accredited training centres nationwide.

“Since inception, the college has churned out specialised nurses… contributing significantly to improved health outcomes,” she said.

She also highlighted the introduction of the Top-Up pathway, which allows post-basic nurses to upgrade their qualifications.

“So far, we have inducted… 2,951 post-basic nurses as Associate Members,” she noted.

However, she raised concerns about funding and migration, saying, “Specialist education is expensive, and many of our residents struggle to afford it,” adding that some trainees also leave due to migration.

She appealed for support to build a permanent college facility and fund training.

Representing the Minister of Health, Madam Evelyn Amoako, said the government recognises the critical role nurses and midwives play in healthcare delivery.

“Nurses and midwives remain the backbone of healthcare delivery in Ghana,” she said.

She said that specialist training is essential to respond to changing health needs.

“Generalist training alone cannot adequately respond to these complex healthcare demands,” she noted.

She outlined government interventions, including the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and the expansion of specialised training programmes in areas such as cardiology, nephrology and emergency nursing.

She also revealed plans to sponsor PhD training for tutors to strengthen the faculty.