The First Vice President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Samuel Alagkora Akolgo, has condemned reports that some ward managers are demanding money from students before signing their clinical logbooks, describing the practice as disgraceful and unprofessional.
Speaking at a seminar held at Pusu-Namongo in the Talensi District to mark International Women’s Day, Mr Akolgo expressed outrage over the allegations, insisting that such conduct undermines the core values of the nursing profession.
Mr Akolgo, who is also a veteran anaesthetist and legal counsel for the Ghana Health Service in the Northern Sector, described the practice as a “disease” and a stain on the profession, particularly because those allegedly involved benefited from a more supportive era of nursing education.
“That is the lowest you should go as a nurse manager. If you are one of those charging students or you are contemplating doing it, please don’t. You are disgracing yourself,” he said.
He noted that unlike previous generations of nurses who received relatively better financial support during training, students today are grappling with rising costs and financial hardship. He therefore urged senior nurses to support the next generation rather than exploit them for personal gain.
Beyond the issue of financial exploitation, Mr Akolgo also cautioned nursing and midwifery managers against harassing junior staff. He stressed the need to build a culture of trust and accessibility within healthcare facilities, urging senior professionals to create supportive environments that promote the growth and advancement of younger practitioners.
