Category: Education

Dr Vida Nyagre Yakong, Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, says Ghana's dream for quality nursing and midwifery education may remain a dream if stakeholders continue to serve as barriers. 'Our dream to ensuring quality education for Nursing and Midwifery in Ghana may remain at the level of a dream if some stakeholders continue to serve as barriers to quality education instead of facilitators,' she said. She said many training institutions witnessed an upsurge in unprofessional and academic misconduct during examinations. 'Students' engagement in examination malpractices has become so common and normalized among students. 'They enter examination halls with phones containing content for examination and wrapped in papers used as menstrual pads. Some download artificial intelligence Apps on their phones that find answers online for their questions. Some write content under their dresses and on their thighs to copy,' she said. Dr Yakong said this when she delivered a keynote address at the maiden graduation and matriculation ceremony of the Nursing and Midwifery Training College (NMTC) - Zuarungu, on the theme: 'Quality nursing and midwifery education: The role of stakeholders.' She said students who engaged in examination malpractices risked cancellation of their papers, rustication or even dismissals, and described such acts as embarrassment to the nursing and midwifery professions that valued truth, hard work and academic excellence. The Keynote Speaker said some stakeholders including politicians and community leaders, who should have known better, interfered in disciplinary actions against students involved in examination malpractices. 'Instead of these unprofessional and unethical behaviours to be condemned, we rather have some politicians, some members of management of the institutions and community leaders, including Chiefs, stand in the way of ensuring quality education by asking that such students remain unpunished. 'Heads of school s receive countless calls from some people who should have known better, asking for favours to free such students and labelling them as wicked when they stand their grounds to ensure the right thing is done,' the Dean said. Dr Yakong further expressed concern that such students who should have been ashamed of their misconducts, issued death threats to examiners and invigilators. She said the calibre of students selected for admission into programmes was equally a threat to the quality of nursing and midwifery education and noted that 'Most students are admitted based on protocols and political pressure.' The Dean said such students came with some perceived entitlement due to their affiliation with politicians. 'It is a source of worry when quality education in nursing and midwifery is politicized. As stakeholders, we need to rethink the implications of our role in this journey.' She called for review of the different programmes that existed and the need to upgrade them to a level that was consistent with international standards, 'In most countries, the entry point for nursing and midwifery is first degree. 'It is time for government and the Regulatory Bodies to revisit the processes that were started to make this move, but short-lived for political reasons. We need to end the certificate training and move on to first degree level,' Dr Yakong said. Mr Michael Yidana Mantamia, the Principal of the NMTC - Zuarungu, on behalf of the Advisory Board, Management, and staff of the College, congratulated the 202 graduates of various nursing programmes for their performance and dedication to the tenets of the College which resulted in their successful completion. 'We have no doubt that we have equipped you with the needed knowledge, attitude and skill to fit in the contemporary era. I admonish all graduates to be guided by the stanza seven of the nurse's pledge; 'I promise that my personal life shall at all times bring credit to my profession.' To the 513 fresh students admitted to various programmes in the nursing profession, the Principal advised them to take their academic work seriously and make judicious use of their time so that they could achieve the goal of their stay in the College. Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr David Odjidja, Headmaster of Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School (Presec), Legon, has appealed to the Ministry of Education to change the school's electricity meter from prepaid to postpaid. The Headmaster said the prepaid system was 'financially' difficult for the school and appealed for a postpaid metre where they could use electricity and pay later when they received funds from the Government. 'Keeping the lights on is expensive for us. We don't receive funds to buy the credit, because we must buy the credit ourselves, and then accumulate the receipts to redeem payment from the Ministry of Education. 'As an educational institution using a prepaid metre? is worrying because the light can go off anytime and if you don't have money to buy electricity then you cannot get power to use in the school,' he said. Mr Odjidja made the appeal at Presec's 85th Anniversary Speech and Prize Giving Day. The Headmaster also appealed for furniture, particularly desks, in some of its classrooms due to the increasi ng number of students. He said some students stand during lessons or use dining hall benches due to inadequate furniture. Mr Odjidja added that some dormitories were congested and called for more dormitories. Meanwhile, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, a Deputy Minister of Education, together with Right Reverend Professor Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, commissioned a new six-science laboratory building complex for the school on the sidelines of the event. The building was established by the Education Ministry together with the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Ntim Fordjour said the Government was committed to expanding science education in schools to ensure that it met its 25 per cent science enrollment target. He said: 'The best investment any country can make is to build the competencies and skills set of its youth making them change agents and drivers of social change and development.' 'This is exactly what we are doing with the Government's educational agenda to buil d our students with competencies and skills set to make them creative and problem-solving through modern science education,' he added. Academic and meritorious awards and prizes were presented to deserving students and staff on the day. Some of the awards included awards for best students in subject areas, outstanding students in 2022 WASSCE, National Science and Maths Quiz winners, and best students in sports. The teaching and non-teaching staff of the school were also rewarded for their long service and commitment to duty. The 1998-year group of the school constructed a new ceremonial ground as their legacy project for the school. Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister of Education, has called on graduates to embrace success with humility, integrity, and commitment to make a difference. He said the world was changing at an unprecedented pace, and that it was essential to stay ahead of change to provide students with the best possible education. 'The challenges of tomorrow demand adaptable, visionary, and resilient individuals, and constantly re-evaluating our programmes and making sure that they are in line with the latest industry trends and demands,' he added. The Deputy Minister made the call in a speech read on his behalf by Professor Yayra Dzakadzie, Deputy Director of Ghana Tertiary Education Commission at the graduation ceremony of the Nobel International Business School (NiBS) in Accra. The ceremony, which was on the theme, 'Creating Tomorrow's Workforce,' saw graduates offer the Executive Master of Business Administration and Certified Strategy Professionals Programmes and induction of the Certified Innovation Professiona ls. Mr Ntim Fordjour said it was important to adapt to programmes and courses to suit the current global environment, for students to be equipped with the skills they needed to succeed in today's economy. 'The world is changing fast, therefore, there is a need to develop the Ghanaian learner in this 21st century to become a global citizen through creativity and innovation,' he added. He said the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information's STEM promotion roadshows aimed at creating awareness about the significance of STEM education and inspired students to pursue careers in this field. The Deputy Minister said the initiative aligned with the government's commitment to advancing STEM education in the country and ensuring that students were equipped with the skills necessary for success in the digital age. He said Ghana's Gross Tertiary Enrolment Ratio (GTER) currently stood at 20 per cent, which was significantly below the Education Strategic Plan target of 40 per cent by 203 0. Mr Ntim Fordjour said studies showed that about 60 per cent of Gross Domestic Products in developed countries was mostly contributed by the workforce with some form of Tertiary Education. 'The Government is committed to increasing Ghana's GTER from our current 20 per cent to 40 per cent by 2030,' he stressed. The Deputy Minister, therefore, congratulated the graduates upon reaching that significant milestone, adding that, 'as you move forward, may you continue to embody excellence, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of greatness.' Professor Kwaku Attuahene-Gima, Executive Dean and President of NiBS, said the programmes had been designed to upskill and reskill executives. 'The world is changing so fast that increasingly when you finish a degree, it becomes obsolete because of changes in the environment, that is why we built these programmes to upskill and reskill executives in order for them to be continuously relevant,' he added. The Executive Dean said there was a need for countries to have creativ e and innovative thinkers because without these, 'countries will always follow people with the loudest voices.' Ms Simone Giger, Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, said in an era of information overload and rapid technological advancement, the ability to think critically had become more crucial than ever. She added that it formed the foundation for understanding the world, solving intricate problems, and making informed decisions. The Ambassador said?the ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and deal with diverse perspectives was vital for a society that was increasingly interconnected and interdependent. She said the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) implied that many of the tasks that required human brainpower in the past would eventually be taken over by machines. 'In order to set ourselves apart from AI, common sense, emotional intelligence and social skills will become essential ingredients for any successful career,' she added. 'Dear graduates, strive not just for comfort in current knowledg e but aim to pursue what is relevant for tomorrow, your training is not the end in itself but a qualification to commence your pursuit of excellence, continuous learning is no longer a luxury but a necessity,' she stressed. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has emphasised the importance for the Government and other stakeholders in education to create an enabling environment and entrepreneurial avenues in Ghana for young university graduates to stay and work. He said the current situation where energetic young Ghanaian graduates were compelled to move in droves to seek greener pastures abroad, posed a serious threat to the future of the country. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said human migration was not inherently negative but the current situation where professionals like nurses, doctors, and teachers left for promising opportunities abroad was a challenge. 'It is equally critical to know that if this phenomenon remains unchecked, it poses a huge threat to our future generations. The departure of our potential leaders who should be actively contributing to the growth and development of our country raises a challenge,' he said. Otumfuo Osei Tutu, also the Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), said this in an address to climax the 57th Congregation of the University, graced by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. 'We must collectively work to transform our country into an entire strong and compelling nation for our youth to stay and work,' he said. 'To achieve this, it is important for the Government and stakeholders in education to embark on innovative strategies aimed at creating an effective environment and entrepreneurial avenues to facilitate job creation to help retain our young graduates.' Otumfuo Osei Tutu implored all stakeholders to aggressively continue the fight against illegal mining activities in the country. 'Whenever I speak, I am compelled to denounce this disruptive practice of 'galamsey,' though the Government has achieved some level of success, but it is still a problem that has created severe damage to our lands and water bodies.' 'Not too long ago, I am sure you all heard what I did to people from my kingdom who were involved in illegal mining activities.' 'I would like t he Government to reciprocate this action to restore the country's natural resources.' Vice President Dr Bawumia said the digitisation agenda, which the Government was aggressively pursuing, was the way to go to transform the nation.? He said from December this year, newborn babies would receive their Ghana cards at birth. The Vice President said the Government would continue to improve teaching and learning, especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. He commended the KNUST for its leadership role in science and technology education, adding the Government would work to ensure the early completion of the University Teaching Hospital to enhance practical education and training in health. Professor Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice Chancellor of KNUST, said a total of 17,437 students graduated this year. Out of that number, 13,170 were undergraduates and 4,267 were post-graduate students. She said the University would continue to play its role effectively to train the needed h uman resources in engineering, health, science, technology and other areas to speed up the nation's development. Source: Ghana News Agency

The All Nations University is set to enrol students for a 4-year bachelor's degree programme in Emergency Medicine Technology in the next academic year. The emergency medicine technology is described as a medical specialty that trains people to diagnose, treat, and manage acute illnesses and injuries which require immediate medical intervention. Dr. Samuel Donkor, Founder and President of All Nations University (ANU), announced during the university's 30th graduation ceremony, that 258 undergraduates and 57 master students graduated. According to him, the new degree programme would be the first in West Africa aimed at bridging the gap in pre-hospital care, a critical component for emergencies. 'The longer one waits to go to the hospital, the less likely to survive emergencies, including heart attacks and strokes.' While applauding Ghana's healthcare system for improving access to care and health outcomes, he said 'A well-trained emergency medical workforce can help streamline the healthcare system by re ducing overcrowding in emergency departments and allowing for smooth transition from the scene of an emergency to the hospital.' He stated plans were advanced to begin a degree programme in food technology to support the laudable planting for food programme. This programme, according to him, would concentrate on 'science and technology in the fields of food production, processing, preservation, food safety and quality control. The university's Space Systems Technology Laboratory (SSTL) initiated a space education revolutionizing project called the African Space Station Project with the goal of promoting space education in Africa. Source: Ghana News Agency