Ministry of Health has launched a National Nursing and Midwifery Preceptorship Policy aimed at strengthening clinical training, boosting professional competence and improving patient safety across the country.

Deputy Minister for Health Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu‑Danquah unveiled the framework at an event attended by officials from the Ministry, the Ghana Health Service, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, teaching hospitals, training institutions and development partners.

The policy establishes structured preceptorship — supervised, on‑the‑job mentorship for nursing and midwifery students during clinical placements.

Officials say the scheme is intended to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real‑world practice, produce practice‑ready graduates and reduce preventable maternal and neonatal deaths by improving bedside competence and quality assurance.

“Structured preceptorship will help translate theoretical training into safe, effective care at the point of service,” Prof. Ayensu‑Danquah said, describing the policy as a major step toward producing competent and confident nurses and midwives nationwide.

Dr Hafez Adam Taher, Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry, who chaired the programme, underlined the role of mentorship in building a resilient health workforce. He said investments in infrastructure and training must be matched by strong clinical supervision to ensure quality care delivery.

The Ministry called on regulatory bodies, health training institutions, hospitals, professional associations and development partners to collaborate on implementation, including the selection and training of preceptors, monitoring of clinical placements and integration of the policy into curricula and facility practices.

Stakeholders said successful rollout will require sustained funding, clear guidelines for preceptor roles, and mechanisms to monitor and evaluate outcomes such as student competency, patient safety indicators and reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality. Health officials said the policy aligns with broader efforts to strengthen Ghana’s health system by improving workforce capacity and ensuring graduates are better prepared for frontline care.

By Blessed EDUAMOAH DADZIE