The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana (N&MC) joined forces with esteemed educational institutions, the University of Huddersfield and the University of Liverpool (both in the UK), to conduct a comprehensive three-day capacity-building training. The programme, held in Accra, brought together professional staff and Management Information System (MIS) personnel both at the N&MC's Head Office and regional branches. The primary objective was to equip participants with a thorough understanding of the revalidation processes, enabling them to effectively disseminate this vital information to their peers. The N&MC seeks to introduce a revalidation policy for nurses and midwives in 2026.
Mrs. Philomina Woolley, Acting Registrar of the N&MC, delivered a keynote presentation, emphasizing the significance of revalidation in enhancing adherence to professional standards and codes of practice within the nursing and midwifery sector. She underscored that revalidation serves as a mechanism for practitioners to assess their performance, demonstrate compliance with standards, remain abreast of evolving practices, and foster heightened public confidence in the profession.
Central to the training agenda was the advancement of the revalidation framework and associated guidelines.
Mr. Ampem Darko Oklodu-Abbey Esq, Deputy Director (Operations) and Head of Intelligence and Discipline Unit at the N&MC took the participants through the steps of revalidation and what will be expected from registrants.
Participants actively engaged in collaborative exercises facilitated by lead partners including Dr. Bibha Simkhada, a Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing and Deputy Director of Graduate Education at the School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, UK as well as Dr. Susan Jones, Lecturer and Professional Lead in Nursing at the School of Allied Health Professionals and Nursing, University of Liverpool, UK. Also, Prof. Charles Ampong Adjei from School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Ghana and a Research Assistant/Coordinator on this project supported the training programme. Together, they deliberated on the development of revalidation templates, requisite criteria, and strategies for sensitization and dissemination. This training programme forms part of a project under a Global Health Workforce Programme funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care via Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET). This project aims to “strengthen the ability of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (N&MC) of Ghana to oversee and regulate the professional register of nurses and midwives and to ensure high-quality nursing and midwifery care”.
Upon conclusion, attendees expressed gratitude to the organizers for orchestrating an insightful programme. Reflecting on the experience, one participant articulated, "We are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the revalidation process. Armed with this knowledge, we pledge to serve as ambassadors, igniting enthusiasm and understanding among our peers and the wider community."
The collaborative initiative marks a pivotal step towards advancing professional excellence and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the nursing and midwifery domain in Ghana.
Other key members of the project team include Precious Adade Duodu, Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing and International Lead for the Department of Nursing; Prof. Padam Simkhada, Professor of Global Health and Associate Dean International (both at the University of Huddersfield, UK); and Mrs. Victoria Lamina, Head of Policy at the N&MC. Mr. Hari Krishna Neupane (IT Consultant) and Mr. Manish Parajuli (Project Manager) - both at TechnoFerry International Limited, UK - offer the IT consultancy on this project while working in collaboration with Mr. Dennis Addai, Senior IT Officer; Mr. Osei Agyei Duodu, MIS Manager; and Mr. Frederick Kwasi Osei, MIS Team Lead (all staff at the N&MC Ghana). Ransford Akrong, a PhD Researcher at the University of Huddersfield, is also a Research Assistant on this project.
