Dr Francisca Achaliwie, a Senior Lecturer at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the Clement Kubindiwo Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), says the future of nurses and midwives is intertwined with Ghana’s prosperity.
She said investment in nurses and midwives by policymakers was investment in healthier families, stronger communities and a resilient economy.
“Nurses and midwives are not just the future; we are the present, the heartbeat of Ghana’s health system and economy,” she said.
Dr Achaliwie said this when she delivered the keynote address at the 2025 regional launch of the nurses and midwives’ week celebration on the theme: “Nurses and Midwives, Our Future: Caring for Nurses and Midwives Strengthens Economies.”
The launch was at the instance of the Upper East Regional leadership of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), to celebrate and recognize their contributions to Ghana’s healthcare delivery system.
The Senior Lecturer told members of the association to “recommit to fighting for our profession’s dignity, equipping ourselves for excellence, and demanding the investments we deserve.
“Together, we can ensure that caring for nurses and midwives becomes a national priority, not just a theme.”
The Senior Lecturer, who is also the Head of Department of General and Preventive Health Nursing at the university, further called for reflection on the sacrifices, resilience and dedication of nurses and midwives across the Upper East Region and beyond.
She noted that the two professions were the backbone of healthcare, and their well-being directly impacted the quality of care they provided to communities.
Dr Achaliwie reminded members of the Association that the professions were built on a rich heritage of compassion, dedication and clinical excellence.
“From the pioneering days of Christian mission to the establishment of formal training institutions, nurses and midwives have been the unsung heroes of our healthcare system,” she said.
Dr Braimah Baba Abubakari, the Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), in a speech read on his behalf, expressed gratitude and appreciation to nurses and midwives in the Region for their role and positive impact on the healthcare delivery system in the Region.
“In a world where health is wealth, you are the treasure that makes it all possible, your tireless efforts, your empathy and your expertise are a beacon of hope for those in need,” he said.
Mr Emmanuel Tibil Panzin, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the GRNMA, stressed the need for reflection on the importance of nurturing the healthcare workforce and ensure they had the needed resources, training, and support to excel.
“Doing so will not only improve health outcomes but also foster economic development by reducing disease burden, increasing productivity, and strengthening our health systems,” he added.
Mr Panzin urged stakeholders to collaborate and create environments where nurses and midwives could thrive saying, “Together, we can build a healthier future, recognizing that caring for those who care for us truly strengthens our entire economy.”