The Union of Trainee Nurses and Midwives Ghana (UTNMG) has condemned an alleged financial exploitation being meted out to some students of the Bolgatanga Nurses' Training College in the Upper East Region.

According to a press release, some 33 students who were not able to write the 2025/2026 Nursing and Midwifery Council licence exams, due to referred courses, are being extorted in their attempt to have a resit.

The release, signed by the National President of UTNMG, Agbeti Immortal, stated that the affected students were charged Ghc1,700 per semester for feeding, though they were not fed and accommodated on campus.

“The inconsistent and nosebleed-inducing fees are causing undue stress to the students. Initially, they were charged Ghc2,088.00 (full semester's tuition fee) + Ghc1,740.00, totalling Ghc3,828.00.”

“After deducting the Ghc1,155.00 stay-back fee, the amount should be Ghc2,673.00. However, the college has continuously moved the goalpost, changing the amount to Ghc2,713.00 and now Ghc2,523.00. This blatant exploitation must stop!”, said Mr. Agbeti.

He further indicated that attempts to call the attention of the authorities of the College and have the issue addressed proved futile.

“UTNMG has written to the principal, appealing for exemption from payment of feeding charges, but the college authorities have been evasive and unresponsive, leaving the students in a precarious situation”, he said.

On behalf of UTNMG, Mr. Agbeti demanded that the college authorities “conduct the resit exams without charging extra fees, including feeding, provide a clear breakdown of the fees and refund any excess payments made, stop the financial exploitation of our members, and conduct a full-scale investigation into this matter.”

He also entreated the government through the Ministry of Health to “intervene immediately” and ensure the college authorities resolve the outstanding issues to the satisfaction of all parties.

“The government must intervene immediately and direct the college authorities to resolve this issue amicably. The welfare of our members is paramount, and we will not stand idly by while they are being exploited.”

“We urge all stakeholders to join us in demanding justice for these students”, he concluded.