Towards advancement of nursing in Ghana: The role of the Ghanaian‐Diaspora Nursing Alliance (G‐DNA)

• Authors: Thomas Hinneh, Johns Hopkins University; Foster Osei Baah, Emory University; Evelyn Amoako, St. Dominic Hospital; Diana Baptiste, Johns Hopkins University; Ruth-Alma Tuckson-Ocran, Harvard University; Angela Agore, King's College; Stephen Adombire, University of Toronto; Matilda Decker, Johns Hopkins University; Daniel Apau, Lone Star College System; Irene Fankah, Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives; Praba Koomson, Sutter Health; Bernard Mensah, University of Alberta; Jacqueline Idun, Johns Hopkins University; Samuel Akyirem, Yale University; Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, Johns Hopkins University
• Journal Title: Nursing Open
• Volume: Volume 12, Number 12
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons | 2023-09-25, Pages 7450-7453
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1997
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Education
• Keywords: Ghana; access to social services; nursing education; nursing practice

Abstract

Ghana, considered a lower‐middle income country (LMIC), has disparate levels of access to social services (e.g., health and education) compared with high‐income countries. These disparities shape the health outcomes, experiences, overall well‐being and quality of life of Ghanaians (Baah et al., 2019). The Ghanaian health system is plagued with several challenges including poor transportation systems, inadequate logistics and medical equipment and relevant human resource to enhance healthcare delivery (Sulemana & Dinye, 2014). Structural factors including the legacy of colonialism and urban biased health policy implementation also contribute to the differences in healthcare access in Ghana (Peprah et al., 2020). Furthermore, Ghana is experiencing a double burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases, which threatens efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals. To equitably respond to the shortage of healthcare workers and address the burden of diseases, Ghana needs to train and support a strong nursing workforce with the capability to critique, evaluate and develop interventions to address the shifting healthcare needs of Ghanaians. Thus, we seek to describe the state of nursing education and practice in Ghana and highlight the role of The Ghanaian‐Diaspora Nursing Alliance (G‐DNA) in supporting efforts to enhance nursing education and practice to improve the health of Ghanaians.