13TH BIENNIEL GENERAL, 35THCOUNCIL MEETING AND 22NDSCIENTIFIC SESSION HELD AT THE PENTECOST CONVENTION CENTRE,GOMOAH FETTEH, NEAR KASOA-CENTRAL REGION, GHANA 19TH TO 25TH JULY, 2015

 

COMMUNIQUE

1. The 35th Council, 13th Biennial General meeting (BGM) and 22ndScientific Session of the West African College of Nursing (WACN) took place at the Pentecost Convention Centre,GomoahFetteh, Near Kasoa-Central Region, Ghana from 19th to 25th July, 2015.  Six member countries (Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Benin Republic) participated with a total number of 526.

 

2. The official opening ceremony was performed by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, John DramaniMahamawho was ably represented by HonourableDeputy Minister of Health of Ghana, Dr. Victor Bampoe on 22nd July, 2015.

 

3. The distinguished guests present at the opening ceremony included Former 1st Lady of Ghana, Her Excellency Mrs. Nana KonaduAgyemang Rawlings, Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation of Sierra Leone, Madam MadinaRahman, Dr. Ken Sagoe, Representative of the Ghana College of Physician and Surgeons and Jhpiego. 

 

4. The key note address titled: “Profession versus Professionalism: Opportunities and Challenges” was delivered by Dr.Mrs. Jemima Dennis-Antwi, a Fellow of WACN from the Republic of Ghana.

 

5. The President of the West African College of Nursing (WACN), Mrs. Amelia Eva Gabba read her Presidential address. 

 

6.Goodwill messages were received from the following, Representative of His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, in the person of Hon. Dr. Victor Bampoe, the Deputy Minister of Health, Jhpiego, Ghana College of Physician and Surgeons, Former 1st Lady of Ghana, Her Excellency Mrs. Nana KonaduAgyemang Rawlings.

 

7. One Hundred and Seventy Six Nurses and Midwives were awarded Fellowships in the five faculties of the College and from the following member countries: Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Benin Republic and The Gambia.

 

8. The following officers were elected as new executive members of the West African College of Nursing (WACN) for the year 2015-2017

Mr. Victor DossouZoclanclounon President  (Benin Republic)

Mrs. Amelia Eva Gabba Immediate past President (Sierra Leone)

Mrs. Marion Subah 1st Vice President (Liberia)

Dr. Francis Sarr 2nd Vice President (The Gambia)

Col. Mrs. Monica Andoh Secretary General (Ghana)

Elder.Dr.Mrs. Comfort E. Ekanem Hon. Treasurer (Nigeria)

 

9. The programme featured three plenary presentations and twelve concurrent scientific paper presentations from Wednesday 22nd to Thursday 23rd July, 2015. The Plenary sessions were on: 

- Current trends in Nursing and Midwifery Education in Nigerian universities: concerns of nurse-teachers by Dr.Anthonia U. Chinwueba (Nigeria)

- Ethical implications in the professional development of the nurse/midwife by Dr. Mary Opare (Ghana)

- Research as a political and Policy tool to advance nursing practice Dr. Josephine B. Etowa (Canada)

 

The Scientific sessions were on:

- Assessment on the level of the application of ethics of care among nurses: comparative study between nurses in private and government owned hospitals by Mr AfamNdu

- Pain assessment and management in the critically ill unconscious patient in the adult intensive care unit by Agbakpe B. S

- Professionalism versus faith: midwives and obstetricians dilemma over provision of abortion services in Ghana by Patience Aniteye

- Re-aligning nursing and midwifery practices to enhance professionalism: action research perspectives

- Integrating professionalism into the development of a cadre of paediatric nurses presentation

- Factors hindering effective clinical training of nursing students in selected nursing educational institutions in south-east Nigeria

- Factors associated with medication errors among nurses working in selected secondary healthcare facilities in Katsina State

- The professional image of nursing as perceived by nurses in South-East Nigeria

- Dissemination of SOWMY 2014 Report and advocacy for midwifery strengthening in Ghana and West Africa.

- The use of Technology in nursing education and professional practice 

- Politics in nursing and midwifery education and practice: issues and implications

- Communication: A tool for professionalism in nursing practices in a selected government hospital in Lagos, Nigeria

- The nursing process: A tool for quality care

- Research in nursing and midwifery for optimal professionalism

- Quantitative exploration of knowledge and utilization of standardized among nurses in Nigeria

- Utilization of conceptual and theoretical framework in Research by nurse educators in AkwaIbom and Cross River States, Nigeria

- Awareness and utilization of E-learning for professional development among nurses in selected hospitals in Zaria metropolis, Nigeria

- My profession or my Life? Maintaining professionalism through rebuilding the confidence of health workers in the Ebola disease context 

- Assessment of the knowledge and skills of nursing informatics among nurses in government and industrial hospital in Rivers State

- Implication de l’ethique dans le developement professionnel des infirmieres (eres) et des sages femmes

- Enhancing nursing care in Nigeria through the implementation of midwives service scheme

- School nursing practice in Nigeria: How far have we gone

- Home- base collaborative : a model for greater professional and socio-economic impact

- Patient perception on quality of nursing care in selected health care facilities in Kaduna-State, Northern Nigeria

- Theoretical and conceptual application in nursing and  midwifery 

- Emerging technology that will change the practice of nursing

- Systematic review of antimicrobial  stewardship in surgical settings

- Analysis of nursing practice challenges in the 21st century in Nigeria

- Exploring the strategies to promote professional development in nursing 

- Excellence in research for enhanced professionalism

 

10. The 13th BGM and 22ndscientific session ended on Friday, 24th July, 2015 with a banquet and the installation of the 18th President of the West African College of Nursing (WACN), Mr. Victor Dossou Zoclanclounon from the Benin Republic.

 

11. The West African College of Nursing (WACN) expresses gratitude to the Government and people of Republic of Ghana for the warm reception accorded to the delegates during their stay in Ghana.

 

12.The College decided to hold its 14th BGM and 23rd Scientific Session in March, 2017 in Nigeria.

 

(Signed)

Mrs. Amelia Eva Gabba, FWACN President, WACN

Ms. Shelly A. Wright, FWACN Secretary General, WACN