The School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has held its annual Dean’s Award Ceremony under the theme, "Fostering Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Education: A Necessity in the 21st Century."
The event celebrated outstanding students and faculty achievements and recognised the essential role of healthcare institutions in training future nurses and midwives.
The ceremony honoured 44 students and a select group of deserving faculty members for their dedication, academic excellence, and professional conduct. Additionally, citations were presented to partner hospitals that have made significant contributions to the clinical training of students. Honoured facilities included Ewim Polyclinic, Ankaful Leprosarium and General Hospital, Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Elmina Polyclinic, and Cape Coast Metro Hospital.
Prof. Jerry Paul Ninnoni, the Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC
The Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC, Prof. Jerry Paul Ninnoni, congratulated the awardees and encouraged them to remain committed to excellence.
“The award is more than a recognition; it is a testament to your hard work. Let it motivate you to do more. " Prof. Ninnoni added.
Delivering the keynote address, the Head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, UCC, Prof. Georgina Yaa Oduro, praised the relevance of the theme, stating: “The theme resonates with our collective efforts to improve healthcare."
Prof. Oduro reiterated the essence of equipping student nurses, maintaining that nursing and midwifery professionals remain the backbone of Ghana’s healthcare system; hence, improving nursing and midwifery is pivotal to improving healthcare.
Prof. Georgina Oduro presenting a plaque of honour to an awardee
She further encouraged the pursuit of continuous learning.
“In pursuing 21st-century skills, we should be curious and ask the whys and whats. We are in an era where advocacy skills are important because we need to educate people. Nursing is not an event — it is a process,” Prof Oduro explained.
The event was graced by several dignitaries, including a former Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Nelson Buah, and a former Provost of the College of Distance Education (CoDE), Prof. Isaac K. Galyuon, who jointly chaired the ceremony. They both congratulated the students and urged them to strive for greater accomplishments.
The Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North Constituency, Dr Kwamena Minta Nyarku, reiterated the government's commitment to reviving abandoned health projects under the MahamaCares initiative, which aims to provide financial assistance to individuals living with chronic diseases across the country.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC