Inside Out With GNMTA President

In this edition of INSIDE OUT, we feature one of the strong forces of student activism. We will get up, close and personal with him. Read the interaction below.

Tell us about yourself

Response:          

Emmanuel Kwabla Geyevo is my full name, a second child in a family of six and was born in Pokuase a suburb of Accra in the Ga-West Municipality.

I started my Basic Education at Pokuase A.M.E. Zion Basic and Juiour High School and had my Secondary Education at Amasaman Senior High/Technical School (AMASTEC) which I emerged as the schools’ best student and the third best student in the 2005 BECE and 2008 WASSCE respectively. Psychiatric Nurses Training College, Ankaful is where I had my training during the 2010 to 2013 Academic years. I however celebrate my birthday on the 10th of July.

What are some of your leadership experiences? Which significant portfolios have you had?

Response:

In fact I have always been a leader since childhood maybe because of my personality type hence cannot even remember some of them. Nonetheless I will mention the ones I remember:

I was Class prefect almost all the time, Boys prefect during my Basic Education; Assistant School prefect, SRC president among others during my Secondary Education.

I was made the course representative among other portfolios from level 100 to 200 at Ankaful. Later, I was elected the president of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and the Local President of the Ghana Nurse – Midwife Trainee Association (GNMTA) during my final year in the college (2012/2013). I was a Board member of the Western and Central Zone of GNMTA during my tenure of office as the Local president.

I was eventually elected and sworn into office as the National President of GNMTA and an Executive Board member of the West African Nursing Students’ Association (WANSA). As for other unions, clubs and associations, time will not permit me to recall. Amidst all the challenges associated with leadership I have learnt that Patience is key and in all things seek God’s Wisdom and Guidance.

Give us a brief description of GNMTA

Response:

GNMTA simply means “Ghana Nurse-Midwife Trainees’ Association”. Our motto is “Doing All for the Health of All”.

The Association is aimed at Protecting and safeguarding the rights and interests of it members; offering a common platform for discussion of issues and problems affecting members and promoting cooperation, understanding and friendship between and among members and other persons or groups both in Ghana and abroad. GNMTA uses the most appropriate bureaucratic but suitable means to address the concerns of its members.

Any student Nurse, Midwife, Health Assistant, in any accredited or duly recognized and registered institution under MOH is a member of GNMTA. GNMTA has five zones nationwide that coordinate the activities of the Local executives and reports to the National secretariat appropriately to enhance smooth administration under the guidance of our supreme constitution.

 

Expose some of the Key successes you have chalked in your administration so far. How well has it benefited your members?

Response:

With the help of God and my able executives we have been able to effectively sensitize most if not all of GNMTA member institutions nationwide and that alone is satisfactory to me since sensitization is the root or foundation to augment the potency of every association. Now even traders know about GNMTA though there is more room for improvement.

My board has been able to negotiate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council to extend the period of the Licensure Examination from one week to two weeks for the Diploma/Degree and from a day to two days for certificate programs. This will ease the pressure on candidates during final exams hence aimed at augmenting the pass rate.

I cannot mention everything here but can also not recess the fact that GNMTA fought for the payment of the arrears of trainees’ allowances when all hopes were lost by members.

As an institution, what challenges have you been battling with?

Response:

Finance! Our major challenge is refusal and or delay in payment of dues by some member institution hence retarding the speed of work. Aloofness on the part of some members makes work difficult for executives at all levels just to mention a few.

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 Can you share with us any inside update(s) from GNMTA? Upcoming events, projects etc?

 Response:

We are currently developing an official website for GNMTA and planning vehemently for the 27th Annual Delegate Congress for election of new National executives. We are also working assiduously with the help of other Associations to help curb the canker of unemployment on the part of graduate nurses and midwives and also help get the allowance paid to the remaining students who have not received yet.

In your opinion as GNMTA President, how far have we come as NAHSAG and what is your impression about the Association?

Response:

NAHSAG, though was pioneered by GNMTA went into hibernation until 2014 when it was partially revived under the administration of Hon. Samuel and his Executives. However, NAHSAG is seeing the light of the day and is progressing amidst the numerous challenges. Hence I commend Hon Frank, the current president and his executives to keep on with the good works and we assure them of our support for the interest of all. I pertinently suggest NAHSAG ensures it attends NUGS and other equally important meetings with some if not all of the blog heads to help in the smooth running of the association.

On a scale of 100, rate the current NAHSAG NEC

Response: I will give them 70%

Tell us in your perspective one way we can make the Health Service delivery better in Ghana

Response: As students’ Leaders we ought to talk to our members even right from the lecture halls to put up positive attitude towards work. If that is achieved, trust me, Health service will gain much recognition and attention in Ghana; for “It is our ATTITUDE, not our APTITUDE that determines our ALTITUDE”. 

Thank you

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