Beyond the uniform: Why Ghana must celebrate its nurses every day

byEbenezer MaduguOctober 28, 20260 Screenshot Ghanaian nurses deserve more than occasional praise and celebrations; they need better working conditions, adequate resources and sufficient staff to deliver quality healthcare, two senior nurses have said.

Speaking on Bullet TV’s Morning Target, hosted by Akua Oteng Amponsah, ahead of the Tobinco Media Group (TMG) Nurses Forum in Accra, Comfort Abiri and Marie Reine Mawuena Bedzrah called for greater recognition of the sacrifices nurses make to care for patients.

The forum is scheduled for tomorrow at Sika Hall in Accra.

Comfort Abiri said her passion for caring for children inspired her to become a midwife. She recalled how she enjoyed carrying children while growing up and wanted to be among the first people to hold newborn babies.

Despite being advised to consider paediatrics, she pursued midwifery and said she had never regretted the decision.

For Marie Reine Mawuena Bedzrah, the inspiration came from her mother, a retired midwife whose dedication to patients motivated her to enter the profession.

However, both nurses highlighted challenges that make their work difficult, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Comfort Abiri identified staff shortages, inadequate equipment, limited internet access and transportation difficulties as some of the major obstacles facing nurses.

She said shortages often forced midwives to work demanding shifts, leading to stress, exhaustion and physical problems.

Although she welcomed government-provided tricycles for community outreach, she said the vehicles could not reach some remote communities because of difficult terrain.

Marie Reine Mawuena Bedzrah said nurses were appreciated by patients and their families but argued that recognition should go beyond celebrations on occasions such as International Nurses Day.

“True recognition should go beyond celebrating us or praising us on Nurses Day,” she said.

She called for fair treatment, adequate staffing and sufficient resources to enable nurses to work effectively.

Their submissions highlight the need to match public appreciation with practical support for healthcare workers.

As Ghana prepares to celebrate its nurses at the TMG forum, their message is clear: recognising nurses means not only applauding their dedication but also improving the conditions under which they serve.

The forum provides an opportunity to honour their contribution and reflect on the support they need to continue caring for patients across the country.

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