‘NAHSAG Had to Battle With a Landlord Who Threatened a Legal Suit’ – Irene Nelly Osafo

The Official Commemoration of the NAHSAG @ 10 Anniversary Celebration saw a retrospective look into the old days of the association as participants deliberated on the way forward. 

The session received presentations from representatives of the various year groups.

Among subjects opened by the 2009/10 year group was a legal suit almost put at the feet of the association in 2009.

In a presentation by Miss Irene Nelly Osafo,

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

READ ALSO Inside Out With FG MELSA President

Inside Out with FG-MELSA President

By Patrick Fynn

Tell us about yourself and your institution.

Agyemang Divine Lardey is my name, President of KNUST MELSA and current President of FG MELSA. The association is a fast growing federation with over 1500 students as members.

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

I was 2012 Head Prefect of Ofori Panin Senior High School

 

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

The mother professional body of the federation is GABMLS and so far so very good, the federation has achieved a lot. So far we have just been elected into office so our projects are still on paper until next academic year begins for an appreciable implementation of these policies on paper

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

We have challenges as every federation will, but we must state that antidotes to these challenges by the grace of God are being tackled very well and effectively and this development has made the association one of the best if not the best.

Can you share with us any inside updates from FG-MELSA? Upcoming event, projects, etc?

Some upcoming programs are:

National Health Day

National Exchange Program

National Quiz at GBC

National Congress

FG MELSA members should expect a website very soon since work have started on it.

 

In your opinion as FG-MELSA President, how far have we come as NAHSAG and what is your impression about the association.

NAHSAG NEC have been impressive. I will rate them 70%.

I believe NAHSAG this year has been really effective and I must commend the current President, Frank Amoakohene for a good work done. Gone are the days when no student in my class knew about NAHSAG.

We are celebrating 10 of life, what's your message for us?

NAHSAG at 10 is worth-celebrating and FG MELSA will do well to celebrate with all of NAHSAG fraternity. We wish you a fruitful celebration.

On behalf of FG MELSA I wish NAHSAG a joyous celebration and pray that all goals set will be met. God bless us all as we work tirelessly to make NAHSAG better than we met it. I must say that we should give out our best without thinking of the cost.

Tell us, in your perspective one way we can make the health service delivery better in Ghana.

Team work must not be compromised in any way if we want to deliver better health service in Ghana  

    

Inside Out with GAHTI President

The Media and Public Relations team had a discussion with the leader of one of our blocs. Find the tête-à-tête below.

By Patrick Fynn

Tell us about yourself and your institution.

I am Dominic Otuo Serebour, a  final year psychiatry student nurse at Nurses' Training College – Pantang.

I am a determined and outspoken young man. Currently I am President for the Greater Accra Health Training Institutions (GAHTI).

(GAHTI) is a recognized health association for both private and public health institutions in Greater Accra Region currently. It was founded in March, 1999.

Motto:

Service to humanity; Service to God

Slogan:

GAHTI: We serve!

GAHTI: Service to humanity!!

GAHTI : Service to God!!!

Mission/ Vision

To inculcate the spirit of discipline amongst member students

To bring qualify healthcare to the doorsteps of Ghanaians

To foster unity amongst all

To protect and defend member institutions/ students in matters affecting them

To help promote activities of member institutions/ students

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

I began my leadership role back in primary and  JHS level. I have worked in offices such as General Secretary and Program Co-ordinator in some basic schools in Accra.

I am as well the Financial Secretary of NTC - Pantang.

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

Publicity

With the help of my noble executives, member students have now appreciated the need and importance of belonging to one body hence getting involved in all activities.

We also have been able to organize the 15th GAHTI Week Celebration.

This celebration gave members and the community

1. Education on hypertension and its preventive measures

2. Blood donation to Ghana blood bank to save life

3. Quiz competition to improve learning

4. Unity and love amongst members through games.

5. Increasing the population length amongst others

 

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

Over the years, we have had issues as an association; notable among them:

Financial crises

Treat from heads of institutions

Failure of members to pay dues

Lack of support from external bodies

Lack Commitment from other executives

Can you share with us any inside updates from GAHTI? Upcoming event, projects, etc?

We have successfully been able to put together the maiden Face of GAHTI.

This beauty pageant made members and the general community appreciate the more, their individual role in cholera prevention.

Apart from that here are some events we expect to see in the coming months:

1. Freshers Day & Night 2015 in August

2. Inauguration of GAHTI into National Level in September. After the inauguration we shall be known as Ghana Association Of Health Training Institutions

3. Annual Delegate Congress in October

 

In your opinion as a bloc head, how far have we come as NAHSAG and what is your impression about the association.

The existence of NASHAG has been very much helpful apart the unification of all health bodies and students as a whole.

The body currently is really showing off and doing very well in discharging their duties as mother association.

Congratulations

On a scale of 100, how much will you rate the current NEC?

I must say God being so good on your side, this current NASHAG NEC is doing productively. In a percentage of 100, I would personally say their output is not below 70%

We are celebrating 10 years of life. What's your message for us?

Our ultimate goal for this celebration is to be more united for health, nothing more or nothing less.

Therefore, I entreat all NMA's and member students to commit themselves and show off their best for us to raise the flag of NAHSAG higher.

Tell us one way we can make the health service delivery better in Ghana

One way to do this is through the involvement of all shareholders ie MOH, GHS, the Worked force, the student body and each individual.