Students of the Presbyterian Nursing and Midwifery Training College in Bawku, located in the Upper East Region, have appealed to authorities to urgently reopen the school, which has remained closed since November 22, 2024, due to renewed tensions in the longstanding chieftaincy conflict in the area.
Speaking at a press conference, the President of the Student Representative Council (SRC), Akamah James, voiced the growing frustration among students over the continued shutdown of the college, citing its severe impact on their academic progress and professional training.
“We, the students of the Presbyterian Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Bawku, have called this press conference to express our concerns, disappointment, dissatisfaction, and frustrations regarding the delay in reopening the college for the second semester,” Akamah said.
He stressed that the extended closure is especially affecting final-year students, who are preparing for their upcoming examinations and fear falling behind their counterparts in other institutions that have already resumed academic activities.
“It has been a period of uncertainty and anxiety for us as students. We have been in limbo, unsure of when we can continue our education and training,” he noted.
“Currently, the final-year students who are preparing for their upcoming final examinations are in great fear and panic. Staying at home while other nursing institutions have resumed their second semester academic activities poses a serious threat to our future.”
Akamah called on all relevant stakeholders—including the Presbyterian Church, which plays a role in managing the college, and the Government of Ghana, the regulatory authority—to act swiftly to resolve the issues leading to the closure and facilitate the immediate reopening of the college.
“We are making a clarion call on the Presbyterian Church and the Government of Ghana to intervene swiftly to resolve the issues causing the delay. We urge all concerned parties to prioritize this matter and ensure that the necessary steps are taken to facilitate the immediate reopening of the college,” he urged.
The students also raised concerns about the broader impact of the closure on the country’s healthcare sector, warning that delays in training could hinder the supply of qualified health professionals needed to meet the growing national demand.
“We are increasingly worried by the day about the impact of this delay on the academic calendar and indeed the content of study. We believe that with prompt attention and commitment from the relevant authorities, this issue can be resolved and academic activities can resume without further delay. ”
The students remain hopeful that their concerns will be addressed and that they will soon return to the classroom to continue their journey toward becoming qualified healthcare providers.
