The Military Secretary to the Ghana Armed Forces, Air Commodore Adu-Gyamfi, has urged newly admitted students of the Ghana Armed Forces College of Nursing and Midwifery (GAFCONM) to uphold discipline, integrity, and responsibility as they begin their journey toward becoming professional nurses and midwives.

Speaking at the matriculation ceremony held at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra on April 4, 2025, Air Commodore Adu-Gyamfi reminded the students that while college life offers newfound freedoms, those freedoms must be exercised with caution and respect for others.

“You are joining this institution at a time that it has been upgraded to a degree-awarding college,” he said. “Very high academic standards are expected of you. This is a place where we train not just your mind, but also your character. You must exhibit self-discipline, proper conduct, and focus throughout your training.”

The ceremony formally welcomed 734 students, comprising the first cohort of Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Midwifery students, into the College for the 2024/2025 academic year.

Delivering a speech on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Dr. Atta Yeboah-Sarpong hailed GAFCONM as the first diploma-awarding health institution in Ghana to elevate its programmes to the bachelor's level.

He praised the College’s affiliation with UCC, which he described as the top-ranked university in Ghana, best in West Africa, and 7th in Africa.

“Through our mentorship, UCC is committed to maintaining high educational standards and offering GAFCONM students a globally competitive education,” he said. “With a structured curriculum and exposure to cutting-edge research, these students will be well-equipped to meet the demands of the evolving healthcare landscape.”

Dr. Yeboah-Sarpong also encouraged the College to explore specialized bachelor’s and postgraduate programmes, particularly in critical areas such as oncology, perioperative, and geriatric nursing, while leveraging the capabilities of the 37 Military Hospital.

Acting Principal of GAFCONM, Major Bright Atta Addae, expressed pride in the College's journey from a wartime nursing orderly training wing to its current status as a degree-awarding institution.

He noted that the College received over 4,700 applications, out of which only 734 students were admitted based on merit.

“This is a transformational journey, and we are committed to nurturing these students into skilled, compassionate, and patriotic health professionals ready to serve by land, sea, and air,” Major Addae said.

He highlighted ongoing challenges, including inadequate lecture halls, limited office space for staff, and the need for permanent lecturers, and called on the Ministry of Defence, UCC, and corporate Ghana to support the College.



AM/

Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb's tour of Fort Victoria and the Cape Coast Lighthouse below: