The Ghana Nurse-Midwife Trainees’ Association says prolonged delays in the posting of graduate nurses and midwives are weakening students’ confidence and threatening the future supply of health professionals in Ghana.
According to the association, many graduates remain unemployed for months after completing their training, leaving current students uncertain about whether their years of study will lead to immediate employment opportunities.
Speaking on the sidelines of the second edition of the ASHBA Inter-College Quiz Competition, the President of the Ashanti-Bono-Ahafo Zone of GNMTA, Abankwa Takyiakwa, said the prolonged wait after graduation is creating uncertainty and discouraging trainees.
He stressed that timely postings are essential to maintaining interest in nursing and midwifery programmes and addressing staffing shortages in healthcare facilities.
“The delay in postings is reducing students’ confidence in the health sector. When graduates are left without postings for long periods, it sends the wrong signal to those currently in training,” he said.
“We are calling on the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance to expedite the posting process and provide clear timelines for graduates awaiting deployment,” he added.
Mr. Takyiakwa also raised concerns over unpaid trainee allowances, indicating that only a limited number of students have received theirs while many remain unpaid.
According to him, the situation is placing significant financial pressure on trainees and forcing many to depend heavily on family support.
“Statistically, most students have not received their allowances, so we are urging the Ministry of Health and the government to conduct checks at the Controller level to ensure all trainees receive their payments,” he stated.
“Also, those who completed in 2025 are still owed two months of allowances by the government,” he added.
He noted that resolving the concerns surrounding postings and allowances would reassure trainees that their education and commitment to the health sector would be matched with opportunities and support after graduation.
Meanwhile, Holy Family Nursing and Midwifery Training College emerged winners of the 2026 ASHBA Inter-College Quiz Competition after defeating Kwapong Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Tepa Nursing and Midwifery Training College, and SDA Kwadaso Nursing and Midwifery Training College.
The Head of Holy Family Nursing and Midwifery Training College and coach of the institution’s quiz team, Shadrack Owusu Osei, attributed the victory to the students’ discipline, preparation, and determination throughout the competition.
With back-to-back titles secured, he said the team is now focused on winning a third consecutive title.
Beyond celebrating the achievement, he appealed to the government to invest in the institution’s infrastructure, explaining that improved facilities would strengthen teaching, practical training, and overall student performance.
Also speaking at the event, the Coordinating Secretary of the Bono and Ahafo chapter and Chair of the Quiz Competition Committee, Osei Solomon Mensah, explained that the annual competition is designed to promote academic excellence, critical thinking, and collaboration among nursing and midwifery trainees.
He disclosed that the event is currently funded solely through student contributions and appealed to the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders for support.
“In fact, organising the event is not easy financially. We are appealing to the government through the Ministry of Health to support the competition because it contributes to training competent nurses and midwives who will save lives,” he said.
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