NAHSAG President and Executives Successfully Conclude 5-Day BA and Ashanti Zonal Tour

NAHSAG President and Executives: The President of the National Health Students Association of Ghana (NAHSAG), H.E. Ernest Agyare (Obama), together with his executive team, has completed a significant five-day institutional tour across the Bono East, Bono, and Ashanti regions. The tour, which concluded on Friday, 11th October 2024, was aimed at engaging health training institutions to strengthen NAHSAG’s presence, foster collaboration, and address critical issues affecting health students across the country.

Objectives of the Tour

The primary objectives of the zonal tour were to foster stronger institutional collaboration, enhance unity among health students nationwide, and address the specific challenges faced by various health training institutions. NAHSAG’s leadership aimed to ensure that health students’ concerns are brought to the forefront and that solutions are developed through dialogue and advocacy. This initiative reflects NAHSAG’s commitment to supporting the welfare of health students, promoting academic excellence, and ensuring a positive training environment.

Tour Activities and Engagement

The delegation’s daily schedule included high-level meetings with the management teams of each institution, providing a platform to discuss pressing issues such as academic facilities, clinical training opportunities, accommodation, and financial support for health students. These meetings served as a foundation for understanding the challenges faced by the institutions and devising strategies for resolving them.

In addition to the management meetings, the NAHSAG team engaged with the Student Representative Councils (SRCs) and, where possible, addressed the entire student body. These interactions aimed to give students an opportunity to voice their concerns, share their experiences, and receive updates on NAHSAG’s projects and future plans. The discussions covered topics ranging from student welfare and safety during internships to curriculum concerns and the need for adequate training resources.

Institutions Visited

The tour covered a wide range of health training institutions, including some of the most prominent schools in the regions:

• Kintampo College of Health
• Tanoso Nursing and Midwifery Training College (NMTC)
• Yamfo College of Health
• Sunyani NMTC
• University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR)
• Duyaw Nkwanta Nursing and Midwifery Training College
• Jaachie Pramso NMTC
• Oyoko School of Optics
• Ntotroso NMTC
• Garden City University College

Achievements and Student Feedback

Throughout the tour, NAHSAG’s leadership collected valuable feedback from students and faculty members on a variety of issues affecting their educational experience. Key concerns raised included the adequacy of clinical training sites, the quality of educational materials, access to financial aid and scholarships, and the state of accommodation facilities. The feedback also highlighted the need for enhanced internship opportunities and support to ensure student safety and effective learning in clinical settings.

NAHSAG President H.E. Ernest Agyare emphasized the association’s commitment to taking swift action to address these issues. He assured the student body that NAHSAG would advocate for improved infrastructure, better academic resources, and policies that prioritize the needs of health students. He also highlighted the importance of unity among health students, stating that a united front was essential for effectively addressing shared challenges.

Additionally, the tour provided an opportunity for NAHSAG to communicate its ongoing projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing the student experience. These include efforts to secure more financial support for needy students, campaigns to ensure student safety during clinical placements, and initiatives to improve the quality of teaching and learning resources.

Next Steps and Upcoming Tours

The tour in the Bono East, Bono, and Ashanti regions marks the beginning of a broader outreach initiative by NAHSAG. This first phase laid the groundwork for future engagements, with the association planning to visit health institutions in other regions to ensure that no student is left behind. The next phase of the tour will extend to the northern, western, and coastal regions of Ghana, where NAHSAG will continue its mission to engage students, gather insights, and advocate for policies that benefit the entire health student community.

NAHSAG’s leadership has also committed to following up on the issues raised during the tour, working closely with relevant stakeholders to find practical solutions. The association plans to provide regular updates to the institutions visited, ensuring transparency and accountability in its advocacy efforts.

Commitment to Unity and Collaboration

A key theme of the tour was the importance of unity and collaboration within the health student community. NAHSAG aims to create a well-coordinated network of health students across Ghana, enabling the association to advocate more effectively for their interests. By building strong relationships with health training institutions and fostering a sense of community among students, NAHSAG seeks to empower students to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s healthcare sector.

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H.E. Ernest Agyare noted that the success of the tour would not have been possible without the cooperation of the institutions visited. He expressed gratitude to the management and students for their hospitality and for engaging in fruitful discussions. He also encouraged the students to stay united and continue to work together towards achieving the common goal of improving health education and training in Ghana.

Conclusion

NAHSAG President and Executives: The five-day zonal tour of the Bono East, Bono, and Ashanti regions marked a significant milestone for NAHSAG in its mission to promote the welfare and development of health students across Ghana. The tour provided a platform for meaningful dialogue between students, institutional management, and the NAHSAG leadership, laying the groundwork for future improvements in health education.

As NAHSAG continues its outreach efforts, the association remains committed to advocating for the needs of health students and contributing to the advancement of healthcare in Ghana.