Bolgatanga: Madam Winifred Porsaa Wondong, the Principal of the Bolgatanga Nursing Training College, has expressed concerns over several challenges facing the institution.
According to Ghana News Agency, she highlighted pressing issues such as low student enrolment, inadequate infrastructure, and accommodation shortages, which she fears could impact academic standards, accreditation, and the college's overall growth.
Madam Wondong addressed these concerns during the matriculation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic year. She revealed that out of 541 applicants, 428 attended the selection interview, but only 272 students eventually enrolled in the Registered General Nursing programme. She attributed the declining enrolment partly to limited programme offerings, despite the college's strategic location in the regional capital.
The Principal also reported that six students had already withdrawn from the programme, with a possibility of more leaving before graduation. Accommodation issues were emphasized, as inadequate hostel facilities have resulted in overcrowding and poor living conditions for students. The sight of students seeking relief from heat by sitting outside their rooms was described as troubling.
Madam Wondong called attention to an abandoned foundation project meant for lecture halls and hostels, which, if completed, could alleviate some of the accommodation issues. She also expressed concern about the deteriorating condition of the college auditorium, which is no longer safe for use, and highlighted an urgent need for more lecture halls.
She pointed out that ongoing land disputes and the lack of a perimeter fence compromised campus security, with unrestricted access posing safety risks. The college's limited fleet of ageing vehicles further complicates the institution's operational capabilities.
In her appeal, Madam Wondong urged stakeholders, government agencies, alumni, and development partners to support initiatives aimed at resolving these challenges, which would improve infrastructure, academic standards, and student welfare, ensuring the college's long-term sustainability.