The Damongo Nurses and Midwives Training College (DNMTC) has held its 19th matriculation ceremony at the college’s auditorium, formally ushering newly admitted students into the institution in a colourful and culturally rich event.
The ceremony was marked by impressive traditional displays, including the presence of chiefs and a spectacular Damba performance by the Damba Wurche of the Damongo Traditional Area, adding splendour and cultural depth to the occasion.
The event attracted several high-profile dignitaries, led by the Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Salisu Biawurbe Esq. Also in attendance were a representative of the West Gonja Municipal Chief Executive, the PTA Chairman, a representative of the Damongowura, the Commander of the 155 Armoured Regiment in Damongo and his officers, officers of the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Ambulance Service, as well as other distinguished guests.
Established in 2006, the Damongo Nurses and Midwives Training College has been led by four principals since its inception. The current Principal, Hajia Sherley Issah, officially accepted the new students into the institution, marking the commencement of their professional journey in nursing and midwifery.
In her address, Hajia Sherley Issah warmly welcomed the matriculants and commended them for choosing DNMTC, noting that their decision reflects the confidence the public has in the quality of teaching and learning offered by the college. She assured students of the management’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for academic excellence and urged them to make full use of the existing facilities.
The Principal, however, highlighted several challenges confronting the institution. These include inadequate boarding facilities, which make it difficult to accommodate all students on campus and affect effective supervision, as well as the lack of adequate buses to transport students to and from clinical training sessions. She further expressed concern that although over 40 health training institutions nationwide have been upgraded to run degree programmes—including two in the Savannah Region—DNMTC was overlooked due to inadequate infrastructure, an under-resourced ICT and skills laboratory, and a library in need of enhancement.
“This is deeply worrying, considering that Damongo NMTC is the oldest in the region and located in the regional capital, yet it remains the most deprived institution,” she stated.
Hajia Sherley Issah therefore appealed to government, traditional authorities and other stakeholders to support the expansion of residential accommodation, construction of additional lecture halls and an administration block, upgrading of the auditorium which can barely accommodate 500 students, and the acquisition of a 60-seater bus. She emphasized that these interventions are critical, especially as the college prepares to introduce additional programmes to meet the staffing needs of the proposed new regional hospital.
Delivering his address, the Savannah Regional Minister, Hon. Salisu Biawurbe Esq, praised the Principal for her dedication and effective leadership. He noted that through her lobbying efforts, the college was able to secure a generator from the Ministry of Health, donated through the Ministry of Energy.
He acknowledged the concerns raised by the Principal and reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving the school’s infrastructure through GETFund support. According to him, some of the challenges would be addressed before the next matriculation, while others are already ongoing or nearing completion.
The Regional Minister also spoke about the planned construction of a regional hospital in Damongo, assuring stakeholders that work is expected to commence soon following the acquisition of a 200-acre land through the Yagbonwura and the Damongowura. He appealed to the school authorities to show leniency towards students, particularly with regard to the payment of school fees.
Additionally, Hon. Salisu Biawurbe announced plans to establish two universities in the Savannah Region—an Agricultural Technical University and a Catholic Science University—both to be located in Damongo. He further revealed that a US$300 million water project for Damongo, Tamale and Yendi is underway, which will significantly address water scarcity in the municipality and benefit students of the college.
A total of 296 students were admitted during the matriculation ceremony, comprising 118 students in Registered General Nursing, 77 in Registered Midwifery, and 101 in the Registered Nurse Assistant programme.
The ceremony concluded on a high note, with renewed hope and optimism for the future of nursing and midwifery training in the Savannah Region.
