The Ministry of Health (MoH) Training Institutions and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MOU is to seek collaboration and affiliation for registered midwifery, community nursing, general nursing and environmental health programmes pursued in the MOH Training Institutions with KNUST. The affiliation shall be for five (5) years subject to renewal in 2019.
KNUST through its relevant departments shall exercise oversight responsibility over the MOH Training Institutions regarding teaching, learning, research, admissions, examinations, periodic review of curricula for the institutions and graduations which would be strictly under the guidance and the established traditions and standards of KNUST.
Professor William Otoo Ellis, Vice-Chancellor, said KNUST was the nation’s premier science and technology university and one of the best in the world, with a vision to be globally recognised as the premier centre of excellence in Africa for teaching, research and entrepreneurship training in science and technology for development, and for producing high calibre graduates with knowledge and expertise to support the industrial and socio-economic development of Ghana and Africa. It is in this direction that KNUST had been at the forefront of training the nation’s manpower in science and technology.
He noted that Ghana had been saddled with the problem of inadequate accessibility to quality tertiary education for some time now. This problem stemmed from the fact that expansion of our tertiary institutions had not matched the demand, despite several interventions and initiatives from stakeholders. This situation resulted in denying a lot of candidates access to tertiary education with its attendant problems. However, KNUST, in solving the accessibility problem had been collaborating with other institutions in the form of affiliation where KNUST provided mentorship and guidance.
Prof. Ellis advised the MoH and the partner institutions to abide by their roles and responsibilities which have been clearly spelt out in the agreement. He cautioned all concerned that KNUST had a rich tradition and a standard of excellence to either maintain or build upon. In this respect, KNUST would review its relationship if any affiliate institution indulged in any activity which brought the university into disrepute. He assured the affiliates of the support of the management of KNUST saying “I would want to assure you that you are not alone in this. There are currently 25 other institutions we are mentoring and we on our part would play our parenting role very effectively.”
Ms. Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Health, stated that the quality of nurses and their career paths had been of concern. She was particularly happy that KNUST had agreed to partner MOH to improve the skills of nurses and midwives to help quality healthcare delivery.
Ms. Ayittey said it was also good for the colleges of health to affiliate for mentorship. This was because it would help produce the calibre of nurses and midwives Ghana needed who would come out as proud graduates. She hoped the principals of the training institutions would welcome the changes to improve the standard of the colleges and their students.
Honourable Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Health and Dr. Alfred Tia Sugri, Deputy Minister of Health signed on behalf of their Ministry whereas Professor William Otoo Ellis, Vice-Chancellor, and Mr. Kobby Yebo-Okrah, the Registrar, signed for KNUST. The MOH was presented with an affiliation certificate.
