First Ghanaian Chief Nursing Officer honoured

Accra, Aug. 13, GNA - Ghana's first Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. Docia Naki Kisseih was on Wednesday honoured by the University of Ghana, Legon, with a Doctorate of Laws degree for her contribution to nursing at home and aboard.

The retired nurse received the honours on her 89th birthday at her residence in Accra. She was decorated by Mr Anthony Oteng-Gyasi, Chairman of the University Council.

Dr Kisseih should have been honoured at a Special Congregation on Monday, which saw the investiture of Mr Kofi Annan as Chancellor and the honouring of other personalities, but she could not receive it due to ill health.

Dr Kisseih was born at Odumase, Manya Krobo, on August 13, 1919. She attended basic school at Kumasi Infant School and proceeded to Krobo Girls and then to Achimota College for her Cambridge School certificate. She obtained her PhD at the Boston University in the United States and worked with the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, retiring from the Civil Service in 1974.

Dr. Kisseih worked with the Department of Nursing as a lecturer from 1975 to 1981 after her retirement and she was also a pioneer of the School of Nursing at the University of Ghana.

She helped in instituting a scholarship scheme for students of nursing and also worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) in designing and implementing a basic health maternal programme. Dr Kisseih was former President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Council, a board member of the International Council of Nurses and the WHO Expert Advisory Panel.

Her niece, Mrs Gloria Amaki Payiddah, described Dr. Kisseih as a hardworking and elegant woman, who served as a role model to the family. She said the family was highly honoured to witness the event and celebrate her achievements whilst she was still alive.

Mr Oteng-Gyasi, said the University's honours were to recognize the achievements of personalities who had not been rewarded, despite their tremendous contribution to the advancement of society.

He said the University was doing its part and expressed the hope that the others would also join to honour such heroes. Mr Oteng-Gyasi implored the public to inform the University of any such person who deserved national honour, so that their achievements would be acknowledged.