The student body of the Presbyterian Nursing and Midwifery Training College in Bawku has held a passionate press conference, expressing growing frustration over the continued closure of their institution.
According to student leaders, the college has remained shut since November 22, 2024, with no clear roadmap for reopening, leaving students in limbo and jeopardizing their academic progress.
Speaking on behalf of the student body, S.R.C President Akamah James, alongside his colleague Garse Pearl, said the extended delay in reopening has caused anxiety, disappointment, and deep concern among students who are desperate to return to school and continue their professional training.
“We have been in limbo, unsure of when we can continue our education and training,” they said, emphasizing that their future — and by extension, the future of Ghana’s healthcare system — hangs in the balance.
The students noted that the conflict in Bawku has often been cited as the reason for the delay. However, they argued that academic activities continued even during the peak of the unrest, making the current decision to keep the school closed both confusing and unacceptable. They insist the situation in Bawku has “significantly toned down,” and there is no justification for halting their education now.
“We believe that the conflict situation has significantly toned down and academic work can resume without any hindrance,” the student leaders stressed. “It would be recalled that there were times that school was in session when there was intermittent gunshots, indeed almost every week.”
Students accused the college leadership and the Presbytery overseeing the institution of hiding behind the conflict to shirk their responsibilities. They believe the leadership has failed to act in the best interest of students, especially final-year trainees who are anxious about missing their crucial examinations.
“We wish to draw the attention of the general public that the current situation in Bawku is not the reason why the Presbyterian Nursing and Midwifery training college has come to a halt on its activities,” they said. “But rather the leadership of the college in collaboration with the leaders of the Presbytery who are chairing the college want to deny us the right to proper education.”
Adding to their frustration, the students pointed out that the college was already operating in two separate locations to accommodate students from the two feuding sides of the conflict. They questioned why this arrangement could not now be maintained or expanded to facilitate reopening.
In a bold demand, the students called for immediate action. If the college leadership cannot reopen the school, they want to be relocated to other institutions within the Upper East Region to complete their studies without further delay.
“If the management board knows that they cannot do anything about the situation, then they should come clear and move us to other government institutions within the Upper East Region,” they insisted.
The students made a heartfelt appeal to national leaders — including President John Dramani Mahama, Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu, and Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka — to intervene and help restore academic activity at the college as a matter of urgency.
They concluded with a solemn reminder that their plight is not just an educational issue, but a national one that threatens to derail the careers of hundreds of future nurses and midwives.
“Thank you for coming and God bless us all,” the statement ended.
