The Ministry of Health has announced the postponement of the Centralised Nursing and Midwifery Licensing Examinations to Thursday, September 4, 2025, citing concerns over candidate safety and the need for improved supervision.
The decision was reached after a high-level consultative meeting between the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and the Conference of Heads of Health Training Institutions (COHHETI).
In a press statement signed by Tony Goodman, Deputy Director and Spokesperson of the Ministry, it was confirmed that the examinations will no longer be conducted at selected centralised centres across the country. Instead, candidates will sit for the exams at their respective training institutions, reverting to a system previously used by the NMC.
According to the Ministry, the change became necessary after widespread concerns were raised about the challenges and risks associated with students traveling long distances to designated exam centres. Reports indicated that candidates, many of whom are in rural areas, were forced to spend long hours on the road and incur additional transportation and accommodation costs.
Health Minister Akandoh stressed that the new arrangement will guarantee fairness, reduce stress for students, and enhance monitoring by the NMC.
“It is not proper for students to travel from one region to another to sit for examinations. This measure is necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of candidates, while also ensuring proper supervision and credibility of the exams,” he said.
The NMC is expected to release a revised timetable and detailed guidelines in the coming days to help both students and institutions adjust to the new schedule.
The Ministry further assured that adequate logistics will be provided to all training institutions to ensure the successful conduct of the examinations under the new directive.
Stakeholders including school heads, tutors, and professional bodies, have welcomed the move, describing it as a step toward fairness and inclusivity in health training education. Some candidates also expressed relief, noting that the arrangement will ease financial and emotional burdens associated with long-distance travel.
The Ministry concluded its statement by appreciating the patience and cooperation of students, institutions, and the general public while reaffirming its commitment to strengthening Ghana’s health education system.
