Tamale: Ms Maalu Bernice Tantuo, a Senior Staff Midwifery Officer at Nahuyili Health Centre, has been awarded the title of Regional Best Midwife in the Northern Region at a recent awards ceremony in Tamale. The event was held in recognition of this year's International Day of the Midwife.
According to Ghana News Agency, the awards ceremony was organized by the Ghana Registered Midwives Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, with support from UNFPA and other partners. The event aimed to recognize the dedication and professionalism of outstanding midwives across all 16 regions and teaching hospitals in Ghana, focusing on maternal and neonatal care.
Ms Tantuo expressed her gratitude to the organizers and supporting partners, stating that the recognition would serve as motivation for her and her colleagues to continue delivering quality care to mothers and newborns. She praised the Ghana Registered Midwives Association and the Ministry of Health for instituting the awards scheme, considering it a vital step towards encouraging excellence in midwifery practice.
The ceremony also honored several other regional awardees, including Sabina Amoako Atta from the Ahafo Region, Abena Serwaa Saffu from the Ashanti Region, and Philipina Akoto Mensah from the Bono Region. Additional honorees were Elizabeth Antwiwaa Coffie from the Bono East Region, Safiatu Ibrahim from the Central Region, and Ocansey Otutua Esther from the Eastern Region.
In the Greater Accra Region, Abigail Ansah Asamoah was recognized, while Bernice Adzoa Kormedza and Barbara Aflakpi received awards in the Volta and Oti Regions, respectively. Zakari Rabiatu from the North East Region and Mariam Kawuribi Adams from the Savannah Region were also acknowledged for their contributions.
Additional recognition was given to Atiah Felicia from the Upper East Region and Rita Donchiir from the Upper West Region. Beatrice Oforiwa Saforo from the Western North Region and Elizabeth Esi Panford from the Western Region completed the list of regional award winners.
At the teaching hospitals level, honorees included Marian Obenewa Akonnor from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Comfort Aseidu Anderson from Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, and Richlove Dosu from Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Others recognized were Sandra Yeboah from the University of Ghana Medical Centre, Eunice Letsa from Ho Teaching Hospital, Hadia Baba from Tamale Teaching Hospital, and Aisha Abass from Sunyani Teaching Hospital.
Each awardee received a refrigerator and a plaque as a token of appreciation for their selfless service and commitment to enhancing maternal and child health outcomes in the country. Ms Evelyn Amoako, Acting Chief Programmes Officer for Nursing and Midwifery at the Ministry of Health, noted that the awardees were selected through a rigorous assessment process focusing on their project work and impact at their respective health facilities.
Madam Netta Forson Ackon, President of the Ghana Registered Midwives Association, urged the government to prioritize expanding the midwifery workforce in national health planning, budgeting, and implementation. She emphasized the need for accelerated recruitment and deployment and ensuring that conditions of service reflect the critical role midwives play in the country.