The University has graduated the Second Cohort of the Diploma in Midwifery programme at the 6th and 7th sessions of the 52nd Congregation.
A total of 2,857 graduates comprising 2,808 females and 49 males who pursued their studies in 26 Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges (NMTCs) across the country were conferred diplomas at the ceremony.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, noted that the University has gained a very high reputation in training of health professionals in all facets of the health sector of the country. He noted that the University currently ran cutting edge and innovative programmes in most of the health disciplines and also offered mentorship to several health institutions both public and private in the country.
“We currently have programmes in Medical Sciences, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physician Assistantship, Medical Laboratory Science, Biomedical Sciences, Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Diagnostic Imaging Technology, Nursing and Midwifery, Sports and Exercise, Nutrition and Dietetics and Health information Systems,” he announced. He said students studying these programmes included foreigners from other nations in Africa.
Prof. Ampiah indicated that the University was awaiting clearance from the National Accreditation Board (NAB) and National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) to begin the Bachelor of Science in Midwifery programme. He was hopeful that approval would soon be given for the programme to begin in the 2020/2021 academic year.
Touching on the Midwifery profession, the Vice-Chancellor said Midwives played vital roles in health delivery system of our country by ensuring that women and their babies receive a continuum of skilled care during pregnancy, childbirth, and after delivery. “The country has witnessed a steady decline in maternal and newborn deaths since 1990, in large part because more women are receiving skilled midwifery care,” he stated. Prof. Ampiah, therefore, indicated that it was in this light that the University was working with NMTCs to train highly motivated and professional midwives to help the country achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 which aims at reducing the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100 000 live births and ending preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age by 2030,” he noted.
The Vice-Chancellor indicated that though the Midwifery profession was a difficult one, he advised them to be patient towards their clients at all times. “I urge you to continue to provide care to the best of your ability in order to make a mark at your facility and also raise the image of the University of Cape Coast on a higher pedestal,” he added.
Ms. Priscilla Yamtot of Midwifery Training College was the best graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.9. She was presented with a cash prize of GH ¢1,000.00.
Present at the Congregation was the Chairman of Council, Mrs. Nancy O. C. Thompson, members of Council, President of Conference of Heads of Health Training Institutions (CoHHETI); Members of Convocation and stakeholders in the Health Sector of the Country.