GRNMA Demands Urgent Investment in Nursing to Sustain Ghana's Free Primary Healthcare Initiative

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has issued a strong call for increased recruitment and improved working conditions to ensure the success of the government's Free Primary Healthcare programme. Speaking at the launch of the association's week-long celebration in Ho, Volta Region, leaders and health experts warned that the current nursing workforce is at risk of being overwhelmed. Under the administration of President John Mahama, the proposed healthcare expansion is expected to significantly increase patient attendance, placing additional strain on a system already grappling with staffing shortages and inadequate resources.

Dr. Oliver Commey, Director of Infectious Diseases at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, emphasized that the success of universal health coverage hinges on more than just policy; it requires a robust investment in the people delivering the care. Dr. Commey advocated for better staffing, modern equipment, and continuous professional development. He stressed that empowering nurses involves including them in health service decision-making processes and ensuring they have the institutional support necessary to maintain patient safety. He cautioned that treating the physical exhaustion of health workers as mere dedication is unsustainable and could hinder the efficacy of national health interventions.

Adding to these concerns, Mr. Courage Kwame-Kumah and other regional GRNMA representatives highlighted a worrying trend of declining motivation among nursing staff. Poor remuneration and difficult working environments are reportedly driving an increase in the emigration of healthcare professionals. The association argued that without immediate government action to improve service conditions, the brain drain will accelerate, leaving the country ill-equipped to handle the influx of patients promised under the free primary care model. The GRNMA is urging for concrete measures to stabilize the workforce and recognize the pivotal role nurses play in Ghana's healthcare delivery.

Amid these calls for systemic reform, the nursing profession continues to demonstrate high levels of excellence and academic rigor. Recently, two faculty members from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) School of Nursing and Midwifery, Dr. Abigail Kusi-Amponsah Diji and Dr. William Wilberforce Amoah, were honored at the 2026 Health Ministry Excellence Awards in Koforidua. Their recognition for contributions to nursing education and research underscores the vital role that university educators and professional mentors play in shaping the next generation of healthcare practitioners. These achievements serve as a reminder of the potential within the sector if properly supported by national policy and investment.