Akyem Oda Community Health Nursing Training College admits 641 students

The Akyem Oda Community Health Nursing Training College has held its 62nd matriculation ceremony at Oda with the formal admission of 641 fresh students comprising 294 registered public health nursing students and 347 registered nurse assistants preventive students.

Eighty-four per cent of the matriculants are females, while the remaining 16 per cent are males.

Addressing the matriculants, the college's Principal, Jones Abekah-Baah urged them to embrace the opportunity ahead of them fully, stressing "Nursing is not just a profession but a calling, a chance to make a profound impact on the lives of individuals and communities."

He emphasised that the knowledge and skills they would acquire at the institution were not just for their personal growth but were tools they would use to promote health, alleviate suffering and foster wellness in the communities they would serve.

Hard work

Mr Abekah-Baah reminded the students that success was not merely handed to them but would be earned through hard work, dedication and perseverance.

"In the coming years, you will face numerous challenges, intense course work, demanding clinical placements and the emotional weight of caring for patients in vulnerable situations," he stated, adding, "Each of these challenges will test your resolve and push you to grow both personally and professionally."

Mr Abekah-Baah said to succeed as student nurses at the college, they must remain resolute in their studies in the face of challenges.

The principal stressed that collaboration would help them navigate the rigorous demands of nursing training and foster a supportive community where everyone thrives.

He, therefore, admonished the matriculants to seek support from their peers and tutors, reminding them that they were not alone in the journey.

Mr Abekah-Baah said success at the college was not just about academic excellence, but also about cultivating resilience, compassion and lifelong commitment to learning, and, therefore, admonished them to embrace the opportunity with an open heart and a determined spirit.

He noted with concern that 200 continuing students had been repeated for poor academic performance and seized the opportunity to advise the matriculants to take a cue and study hard.

Congratulations

The stakeholders chairman of the college, Ben Kuuku Baiden, congratulated the matriculants on being selected from the large number who applied and admonished them to attach importance to their studies.

Other speakers at the ceremony included Mr Boaz Ahulu, the head of academics at the college.

A final-year Registered Public Health Nursing Student, Dora Ahenkorah was adjudged the overall best-continuing student and was presented with a parcel containing a set of books, a set of towels and an iron as her prize.