The University of Cape Coast Access Course for Post Nursing Assistant Clinical (NAC) and Nurse Assistant Preventive (NAP) is being held in four centres in the countrtry.
The Access Course which started on Monday, October 22, is a refresher course to prepare Post NAC/NAP final year students who could not get credit for English, Mathematics and Science in the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The course is to prepare them to pass these subjects so as to qualify for the University’s Diploma in Midwifery Programme to be rolled out for Post NAC/NAP students.
Centres for Access Course
Atibie NMTC in the Eastern Region is hosting the Access Course for students from Eastern, Volta and Greater Accra Regions, whiles Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) NMTC, Kumasi, is the centre for students in Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions. Students from the Central and Western Regions have their centre at Cape Coast NMTC whereas those from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions are being hosted at Tamale NMTC for the Access Course.
Orientation for Access Course Students at Atibie NMTC
At an orientation programme for the students at Atibie, the Assistant Registrar, Institutional Affiliation Office, Mr. Justice Agyenim Boateng, entreated them to take the guided tutorials seriously and pass the examination in order to enrol on the Diploma Programme.
Mr. Boateng said hitherto, there was no clear path for academic progression for Post NAC/NAP Certificate holders however, through the intervention of the Ministry of Health and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the University agreed to design the Diploma programme to meet their needs. “A lot of consultation, efforts and work have gone into this programme and I don’t expect you to take your studies for granted, because this is a great opportunity for your academic and career progression,” he noted. Mr. Boateng was accompanied by Josephine Jehu-Appiah - Junior Assistant Registrar at the Teaching and Examinations Section.
Briefing the team from UCC, the Principal of the College, Mrs. Pauline Osabutey, said about 242 students had reported for the Access Course on the first day. She said all the necessary arrangements had been made for the students to feel comfortable for their studies. During a visit to Cape Cape NMTC, the Principal, Hajia Halima Opoku Ahmed, reported that 85 students had registered for the Course.
Interaction with Students at KATH NMTC
Interacting with the students, Mr. Boateng urged them to take into consideration the prospects ahead and put in their best to pass the Access Course examination to be able to continue with the Diploma programme. “After the Diploma, there are numerous opportunities for you to upgrade yourself to the PhD level” he urged them.
Addressing students at KATH NMTC, Kumasi, Mr. Boateng said the tutors for the Access Course have been instructed to guide the students in selected topics prepared by the Chief Examiners from UCC. He entreated them to learn and take part in classroom and group discussions to help them pass the examination. “I know most of you have made lots of sacrifices to take part in this course because, of your ambition to attain higher academic laurels and also rise through the ranks in the Nursing profession” he noted.
Mr. Boateng reminded the students to be motivated by the fact that they could now upgrade themselves in any University in the world after obtaining the Diploma from UCC. “Some of you have waited anxiously to see this dream come to pass so you cannot just relax and go home without passing the Access Course to do the Diploma,”
The Principal of KATH NMTC, Mr. Albert Opoku, said the College had recorded 440 students for the course.
Visit to Tamale Teaching Hospital NMTC
At the Tamale, Mr. Boateng interacted with 220 students who have enrolled on the Access Course at the Tamale Teaching Hospital NMTC. He assured them that the examinations would be restricted to topics they were being taught. The Principal of the College, Mr. Abdulai Abdul-Malik, said the needed support have been provided to ensure that the students study under a conducive academic environment. He commended UCC for playing a remarkable role in helping the students to be more useful to the society adding that “These calibre of Midwives who work mostly in the rural areas are very experienced and I know the Diploma programme will provide them with new set of skills to reduce further infant mortality in Ghana,” he noted.