GHANA REGISTERED NURSES’ AND MIDWIVES' ASSOCIATION (GRNMA)
The Ghana Registered Nurses’ and Midwives' Association (GRNMA), formerly Ghana Registered Nurses' Association (GRNA) is a Professional Association for all categories of Nurses in Ghana. The Association was founded in March 1960 as a result of a merger of two professional nursing Associations the Qualified Nurses Association headed by Mr. Mettle-Nunoo and the State Registered Nurses Association led by Dr. Docial Kisseih with the mission to provide a central organization that would advance the interest of the nursing profession in Ghana and internationally. The purpose of the merger was the need for Ghana to present on Nursing/Midwifery Association to represent the country at the International Council of Nurses. As a result of the merger Dr. Docia Kisseih became the first president and Mr. Mettle Nunoo became the first general secretary. It is a Professional Association independent and non-partisan in nature. The GRNMA is the exclusive mouthpiece for all nurses in matters affecting them.
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Projects Completed
40073
GRNMA Members
3757
International Members
The Association exist as a professional body as incorporated under the NRC Decree 143. (Professional Bodies Registration) with Registration number PB-13. Its headquarters is at Accra with branches all over the country. The motto of the GRNMA is “unity is strength”.
VISION
To become leaders of frontline health service providers and formidable team players in the healthcare continuum.
MISSION
To develop the nurse professionally to cope with contemporary challenges of the profession towards the promotion of the health of our clientele and their socio-economic status.
MEMBERS
Membership of GRNMA is open to all nurses/midwives in Ghana registered or enrolled by the Nurses and Midwives’ Council for Ghana. Membership is acquired and maintained through registration and payment of monthly and other dues instituted by the GRNMA. Life membership of the Association is open to retired, or disabled and maimed nurses who can never return to active service; upon payment of a prescribed fee.
Our Constitution
ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION
The organization structure of the Association is positioned to facilitate communication and implementation of policies.
Local Branches: These are the unit structures of the Association that exist in all health care facilities in Ghana.
District Branches: Are established in all districts as the decentralized functional areas of the GRNMA.
Regional Branches: Supervise the decentralized areas and link them up to the national secretariat.
National Executive Committee (NEC):The National Executive of nine, elected quadrennially, headed by the president of the GRNMA with executive powers to implement policies and decisions taken by the National Council and National Delegates Conference.
National Council
The National Council constituted by the National Executive and Regional Chairpersons and Secretaries meet quarterly to formulate policies and promote the business of the GRNMA.
National Delegates, Conference
The National Delegates Conference is the highest body of the Association and this is held biennially to discuss issues that affect the Association.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION
As enshrined in the Association constitution, the functions of the GRNMA are to;
Bring all practising nurses/midwives in Ghana under a unified body
Advance the interest of the nursing/midwifery profession
Promote a better understanding and dignity of the profession
Maintain the honour and independence of the profession with special reference to professional standard, conduct, discipline and etiquette.
Promote nursing/midwifery research
Affiliate and promote good relations with the International Council of Nurses Commonwealth Nurses Federation, International confederation of Midwives and similar organization of Nurses in other countries.
Promote and support law reforms on matters affecting the nursing/midwifery profession
GRNMA ACTIVITIES
Maintaining and improving Nursing/Midwifery Standard
Promoting the socio-economic welfare of Ghanaian Nurses/Midwifes
Promoting nursing /midwifery education and research.
Seeking partnership with government and other stakeholders to promote industrial Peace to enhance productivity.
Collaborating with other trade union organization nationally and internationally.
COMMITTEES OF THE ASSOCIATION
The Association has standing committees and adhoc committees during conference and congresses. Some of the committees are:
Finance
Education and Research
Socio-economic welfare
Building
Editorial
– Constitution Review
– Resolution and communiqué
– Evaluation
AFFILIATED GROUPS
Under the umbrella of Ghana Registered Nurses’ and Midwives’ Association are the following groupings:
Nurse Educators’ Group
General Nurses Group
Public Health Nurses Group
Community Health Nurses Group
Peri-Operative Nurses’
Critical Nursing Group
Ophthalmic Nurses Group
Psychiatric Nurses Group
ENT Nurses Group
Enrolled Nurses Group
THE GRNMA AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
The GRNMA is recognized as an important body in nursing worldwide.
It is a member of good standing in the following international nursing organizations:
International Council of Nurses (ICN) since 1961
Commonwealth Nurses Federation (CNF)
Public Services International (PSI)
West African Health Sector Unions Network (WAHSUN)
The GRNA advises and supports Professional Nursing Associations of Sister African Countries.
THE INTERNATIONAL CODES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
The code for Nurses is based on the belief about the nature of individuals, nursing, health, and society. Recipients and providers of nursing services are viewed as individuals and groups who possess basic rights and responsibilities, and whose values and circumstances command respect at all times. Nursing encompasses the promotion and restoration of health, the prevention of illness, and the alleviation of suffering. The statements of the Code and their interpretation provide a guide for conduct and relationships in carrying out nursing responsibilities consistent with the ethical obligations of the profession and quality in nursing/midwifery care.
The fundamental responsibility of the nurse is fourfold
To promote health
To prevent illness
To restore health and
To alleviate suffering
The need for nursing is universal. Inherent in nursing is respect for life, dignity and rights of man. It is unrestricted by considerations of nationality, race, creed, colour, age, sex, politics or social status. Nurses render health services to the individuals, the family and the community and co-ordinate their services with those of related groups.
The code has Five areas:
Nurses and People
Nurse and Practise
Nurses and Society
Nurses and Co-workers
Nurses and the Profession.
NURSES AND PEOPLE
The nurse’s primary responsibility to people who require nursing care.
The nurse, in providing care, promotes an environment in which the values, customs and spiritual beliefs of the individuals are respected. The nurse holds in confidence personal information and uses judgment in sharing this information
NURSE AND PRACTICE
The nurse carries personal responsibility for nursing practice and for maintaining competence by continual learning.
The nurse maintains the highest standard of nursing care possible within the reality of a specific situation.
The nurse uses judgment in relation to individual competence when accepting and delegating responsibilities.
The nurse when acting in a professional capacity should at all times maintains standards of personal conduct which brings credit upon the profession.
NURSES AND SOCIETY
The nurse shares with other citizens the responsibility for initiating and supporting action to meet the health and social needs of the public.
NURSES AND CO-WORKERS
The nurse sustains a co-operative relationship with co-workers in nursing and other fields
and nurse takes appropriate action to safeguard the individual when his/her care is endangered by a co-worker or any to her person.
NURSES AND THE PROFESSION
The nurse plays the major role in determining and implementing desirable standards of nursing practice and nursing education.
The nurse is active in developing a core professional knowledge. The nurse acting through the professional organization participates in creating and maintaining equitable social and economic working conditions in nursing. Nurses reaffirm their belief in these ideals and values. Identifies with the code for nurses and endeavour to practice these ideals to the letter.
This is the only way the nurse can re-establish the public’s confidence, and get its support and co-operation in the struggle for a better nursing service both in quality of work and conditions of service.
APPEAL TO NURSES
The code for nurses is a guide for action based on values and needs of society; it will have meaning only if it becomes a living document applied to the realities of human behavior in a changing society.
In order to achieve its purpose the code must be understood, internalized and utilized by nurses in all aspects of their work, it must be put before and be continuously available to students and practitioners in their mother tongue, throughout their study and working lives. For practical application in the local setting, the code should be studies in conjunction with information relevant to the specific situation, which would guide the nurse in selecting priorities and scope for action in.
Bargaining Certificate was obtained on 29th October, 2007
OFFICERS AND TENURE OF OFFICE
Officers at all levels of the association hold office for 4 years and are eligible for re-election.
The National offices are;
President
First Vice President
Second Vice President
General Secretary
Assistant General Secretary
Public Relations Officer
Assistant Public Relations Officer
Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer
PRESIDENTS OF GRNMA
1. Dr. Docia N. A. Kisseih – 1960 – 1970
2. Prof. Ayodele Akiwumi – 1971 – 1974
3. Mrs. Edith Saki-Quartey – 1975 – 1982
4. Miss Sara Roberta Addison – 1983 – 1986
5. Miss Comfort Asiama – 1987 – 1987
6. Mrs. Emma Helen Banga – 1995 – 2003
7. Mrs Alice D. Asare-Allotey – 2003- 2011
8. Mr Kwaku Asante-Krobea – 2012 – 2020
9. Mrs. Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo 2020 to Date
GENERAL SECRETARIES OF GRNMA
Mr. Mettle Nunoo – First General Secretary
Mrs. Glady Ohene-Ampofo
Mr. Nee- Amoa-Kotey
Mrs. Helen Banga
Mrs. Alice Asare Darkoa Allotey
Mr. Kwaku Asante-Krobea
Mrs. Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo 2012 to 2020
Mr. David Tenkorang-Twum 2020 to Date