Professor William Angku, a Health Economist at SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), has underscored the pivotal role of nurses and midwives in building a resilient health system and driving economic progress.
Speaking at the climax of the Nurses and Midwives Week celebration in Wa, Prof. Angku urged government leaders to prioritize investments in the welfare of these frontline health workers. He emphasized that sustained improvements in healthcare delivery and national well-being are only possible if nurses and midwives are well-supported.
“Investing in the welfare of nurses and midwives ensures they can effectively promote population health,” he said. “They are the nucleus of our health system. Without their strength, our entire health sector is weakened.”
Held under the theme, “Nurses and Midwives, Our Future: Caring for Nurses and Midwives Strengthens the Economy,” the event brought attention to the indispensable contributions of nurses and midwives to public health.
Prof. Angku pointed out that while doctors are essential to healthcare delivery, it is nurses and midwives who form the frontline of service delivery, often making the first contact with patients and sustaining care across all levels.
He warned that failing to enhance their conditions of service would directly undermine the quality and accessibility of care across the country.
Supporting this call, Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Josephat Nyuzaghl, lamented that the region struggles to attract and retain nurses due to perceptions of being “unattractive.” Nevertheless, he noted progress, citing a nurse-to-population ratio of 1:287 and a midwife-to-women of reproductive age ratio of 1:237 — both surpassing national standards.
Dr. Nyuzaghl also highlighted disparities in personnel distribution, particularly in deprived districts, which continues to affect equitable healthcare access.
Adding his voice, Upper West Regional Minister Charles Lwanga Puozuing reaffirmed government’s responsibility to empower and retain nurses and midwives through training, fair compensation, and better work environments. He said former President John Dramani Mahama remained committed to such efforts, including restoring automatic postings for graduates.
The celebration concluded with renewed calls from stakeholders for decisive policy action to support the health workforce — seen not just as a professional category, but as a foundation for a healthier, more productive Ghana.
