Nurses and midwives remain the backbone of Ghana’s healthcare system, but their ability to deliver quality care depends on stronger investment, better working conditions and greater involvement in decision-making, healthcare stakeholders have been told.
The call was made during the launch of the International Nurses Day celebration by the Upper East Regional branch of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) at Pusu-Namongo in the Talensi District.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Michael Wombeogo, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Allied Sciences at Regentropfen University College, said the future of healthcare delivery in Ghana is closely tied to how well the country supports and empowers its nursing workforce.
Speaking on the theme, “Our Nurses, Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” he described the occasion as an opportunity to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action to strengthen the nursing profession.
According to Dr Wombeogo, nurses and midwives account for more than 60 per cent of Ghana’s health workforce and often serve as the first and only point of healthcare access for many people in rural and underserved communities.
He noted that their contributions extend beyond hospitals and clinics, playing important roles in education, community development, maternal and child health, and national economic growth.
“Our nurses are our future. Empowered nurses do not just save lives; they transform societies,” he stated.
Drawing on insights from the International Council of Nurses (ICN), Dr Wombeogo highlighted the profession’s unique strengths, including public trust, professional expertise, community presence, and its capacity to promote peace and social resilience.
However, he warned that nurses and midwives continue to face significant challenges that threaten the effectiveness of healthcare delivery. These include staff shortages, burnout, inadequate infrastructure, delayed incentives, and limited representation in leadership and policy-making structures.
He stressed that true empowerment requires deliberate policy interventions and investment rather than symbolic recognition.
“Empowerment is not symbolic; it is structural. It means investing in safe, fair working conditions, enabling nurse leadership, and ensuring decision-making power,” he said.
Dr Wombeogo called on government, development partners, and healthcare institutions to prioritise nursing education, strengthen leadership development, improve workplace safety, and involve nurses more actively in health policy formulation.
The appeal was echoed by Mr Emmanuel Tibil Panzin, Upper East Regional Chairman of the GRNMA, who urged authorities to address longstanding welfare concerns affecting nurses and midwives.
He cautioned that healthcare workers cannot be expected to deliver optimal services while facing persistent economic and workplace challenges.
According to him, unresolved systemic issues continue to undermine the morale and effectiveness of frontline health professionals despite their crucial role in protecting public health.
The event brought together nurses, midwives, health training institution leaders, tutors, and other stakeholders, all united in calling for greater recognition and investment in a profession widely regarded as the cornerstone of Ghana’s healthcare system.
