We need nurses to build world class health system - Akufo-Addo

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo believes that Ghana needs all the nurses and healthcare workers she can get provided she had a solid healthcare system.

The President also thinks it was necessary to provide the relevant incentives to make that create that world class health system in the country.

According to President Akufo-Addo, “it was much more than that. We believed, and still believe, that Ghana needs all the nurses and healthcare workers she can get, if the nation is to have a solid, world class healthcare system, and we think it necessary to provide the relevant incentives to make that possible.”

He made these remarks when hundreds of nursing trainees from the Sunyani Nursing and Midwifery Training College mobbed him, prior to his meeting with the Bono Region House of Chiefs on Monday, 7th October, 2019.

The nurses hailed the President for restoring their trainee allowances which were cancelled by the erstwhile Mahama-led NDC Government.

Wielding placards with inscriptions such as “we don’t need JM back to cancel our allawa”, “we are happy for the allawa”, “Nana nie, allawa nie”, and “our parents thank you for allawa”, the nurses praised President Akufo-Addo.

It will be recalled that nearly two years ago, on 10th October, 2017, President Akufo-Addo, speaking at the Sunyani Nursing and Midwifery Training College, at the restoration of the nursing trainee allowances, indicated that the decision to restore the nursing training allowances was not mere political rhetoric, campaign talk, and neither was it to meant deceive nursing trainees in order to get their votes.

Thus far, 51,130 nursing trainee students are receiving allowances in the nursing training and midwifery colleges across the country, with some GH¢410 million disbursed so far in twenty (20) months.

Bemoaning the cancellation of the allowances, in 2014, by the government of the former President John Dramani Mahama, President Akufo-Addo noted that this singular action brought untold hardships to the thousands of nurses and midwives in the country, who depended on it for their studies and for their welfare.

The cancellation, according to the President, left many trainee nurses demotivated and demoralised.

“The New Patriotic Party and I heard your cry, and assured you of the restoration of these allowances, if we won the election. By the grace of God, and by the generosity and trust of the Ghanaian people, I am here, today, as President of the Republic, ready to fulfill the pledge we made to you,” he said, to a rousing applause from the packed auditorium of the school.

In a related development, the Chiefs and Queen Mothers of the newly created Bono Region have commended the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for the implementation of the Free Senior High School Policy, and the restoration of the teacher trainee and nursing trainee allowances.

Speaking on behalf of the Chiefs of the Region, Nana Bofo Bene IV, who is the Dwenemhene, and also Vice President of the Bono Region House of Chiefs, applauded President Akufo-Addo for his passion for education.

“Others said it was impossible. You, President Akufo-Addo, on the other hand, said you will do it. You came into office, and you have done it. You have seen to the realization of Free SHS,” the Dwenemhene said.

He continued, “If no one will commend you for Free SHS, we, the people of Bono Region, will gladly do so. Congratulations Nana. Today, a child from a village like Boadwo has been admitted to study at St. James Seminary and Senior High School, as a result of your commitment to broadening access to education.”

Nana Bofo Bene IV made this known on Monday, 7th October, 2019, when President Akufo-Addo paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers of the Bono Region, at the commencement of his 2-day tour of the Region.

Touching further on the policy, the Dwenemhene indicated that those who oppose Free SHS have their relatives being beneficiaries of the policy, adding that “those who claim Free SHS is not good have all been shamed.”

Thus far, from September 2019, 1.2 million children, the highest enrolment of pupils in Senior High School in our history, are benefitting from the policy.

He also thanked the Akufo-Addo government for the restoration of nursing and teacher trainee allowances, which, he said, has relieved students of untold hardships in the course of their studies.

The Chief also told President Akufo-Addo, through the Ministry for Education, to address issues regarding the categorization of Senior High Schools in the region, and improve the tourist attractions in the region, as it could serve as a source for the creation of jobs and wealth for the people of the Region.