The Ministry of Health has launched the Midwifery Education and Practice Centres of Excellence Programme (MEPCEP), an initiative aimed at strengthening maternal and newborn care across Ghana.

The programme was launched on October 3, 2024, and was attended by key healthcare leaders, stakeholders, and development partners.

Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Minister for Health Adelaide Ntim emphasised the role midwives play in healthcare, noting that they often serve as the first point of contact for expectant mothers.

"Empowering midwives empowers communities, quality midwifery care is a human right,” she said.

The Deputy Minister noted that the Centres of Excellence will serve as hubs for continuous professional development for practicing midwives, ensuring they stay at the forefront of the field. For students, the programme promises a strong integration of theory and practice, preparing them for the complex realities of maternal and newborn care.

"This programme is not just about launching a new initiative; it’s about transforming midwifery in Ghana and ensuring every mother and child has access to high-quality care," said the Deputy Minister. "Together, we will take significant strides toward Universal Health Coverage."

Recent global studies highlight the impact of midwifery care, showing that midwife-led interventions could prevent two-thirds of maternal and neonatal deaths, saving millions of lives each year.

In Ghana, midwives are vital in ensuring the health and welfare of mothers and newborns throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.

The MEPCEP initiative seeks to address gaps in midwifery education and practice identified through an extensive needs assessment conducted across all 16 regions of the country.

The assessment revealed disparities in resources, infrastructure, and training opportunities, particularly in the Northern, Middle, and Southern belts of Ghana. The programme is designed to rectify these inequalities and elevate midwifery education to world-class standards.

The two pilot institutions selected for the programme are the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the Nursing and Midwifery Training College at Korle Bu.

These institutions will be paired with KNUST Medical Health Services and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, respectively, to create hubs of excellence in midwifery education and practice.

As the programme expands, two additional schools will be added each year, with the goal of covering all 16 regions.

MEPCEP is supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which has been instrumental in advancing midwifery education in Ghana.

AM/OGB

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