The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Sagnarigu, Hon. Abdulai Imoro Gong, on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare education and improving emergency medical services through strategic investments in specialized nursing training.
He made the remarks during the maiden matriculation ceremony of the Bachelor of Science (BSc) Emergency Nursing Programme at the Nurses’ and Midwives’ Training College (NMTC), Tamale Campus, held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at the MAAPEH Hall. The ceremony brought together the Minister for Health, representatives of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, the Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, officials from the University of Cape Coast, traditional authorities, development partners, faculty members, students, parents and other distinguished guests.
Delivering the Regional Minister’s address, Hon. Abdulai Imoro Gong described the occasion as a historic milestone in healthcare education, noting that the introduction of the Emergency Nursing Programme marks the beginning of a new era for the Northern Region and Ghana’s health sector. He congratulated the Principal, Management and staff of the College for their vision, innovation and dedication in establishing a programme that addresses one of the country’s most pressing healthcare needs.
He observed that for many years, families in Northern Ghana had endured the financial and emotional burden of sending their children to distant institutions to pursue specialized healthcare education. According to him, the partnership between the Nurses’ and Midwives’ Training College and the University of Cape Coast now offers students the opportunity to receive world-class emergency nursing education closer to home, reducing costs while strengthening the region’s healthcare workforce.
The MCE stressed that prosperous nations are built on healthy and productive populations, emphasizing that Ghana’s investment in specialized medical education is essential for expanding access to quality healthcare. He noted that emergency nursing plays a critical role in saving lives during road traffic accidents, heart attacks, strokes and other life-threatening emergencies where every second counts.
Hon. Gong further stated that the Northern Region serves as a major referral hub for several neighbouring regions and districts, making the introduction of the Emergency Nursing Programme both timely and strategic. He explained that the programme would equip future nurses with the specialized knowledge, practical skills and compassion required to deliver quality emergency care and improve patient outcomes across the country.
Addressing the pioneer students, he described their admission into the inaugural class as both a privilege and a great responsibility. He encouraged them to pursue their studies with discipline, humility, resilience and integrity, reminding them that nursing is not merely a profession but a noble calling dedicated to serving humanity, particularly during people’s most vulnerable moments.
He also challenged faculty members to uphold the highest standards of teaching and mentorship, stressing that they were not simply educating students but shaping future lifesavers whose competence and professionalism would directly influence the quality of healthcare delivery in Ghana. He urged them to continue nurturing the students academically, ethically and professionally.
Hon. Abdulai Imoro Gong noted that the new programme would significantly strengthen the Northern Region’s healthcare capacity while contributing to improved national health outcomes. He said the initiative aligns with the vision of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration to enhance healthcare delivery, expand access to specialized medical services, reduce preventable deaths and ensure equitable healthcare for all Ghanaians regardless of location.
Reaffirming government’s commitment, the MCE assured the College’s Management of the continued support of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council in promoting education, healthcare and human resource development. He pledged the Council’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders to create an enabling environment for quality training and improved healthcare service delivery throughout the region.
He further appealed to development partners, corporate institutions, philanthropists and the private sector to support the Emergency Nursing Programme through scholarships, modern medical equipment, simulation laboratories, research funding and infrastructure development. Such partnerships, he noted, would help position the programme among the best emergency nursing training programmes in Ghana and the West African sub-region.
Hon. Gong concluded by expressing appreciation to the Ministry of Health, the University of Cape Coast, the College’s Management and staff, parents and all partners whose contributions made the programme possible. He urged the pioneer students to consider serving in rural communities upon graduation, where their expertise would be most needed, expressing confidence that the inaugural cohort would set a lasting standard of excellence for future generations of emergency nurses.