A former Chairperson of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim Hussain, says the government should prioritize access to teacher and nursing training programs for individuals who can afford them.
During a panel discussion on the Angel Morning Show (AMS) with Saddick Adams on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, she stressed the need for a critical examination of these professions.
Hajia Hamdatu noted that while many individuals were previously disinterested in pursuing careers in teaching and nursing, there has recently been a surge of interest in these training colleges.
She pointed out that it is essential to focus on deprived communities, as many individuals are reluctant to return to their roots after receiving the allowance.
She proposed that prospective students should be identified and required to sign a bond with the government, committing to serve in their communities after completing their training.
“This should not merely be a manifesto promise; we cannot implement it. It shouldn’t be a scenario of I will do it because my colleague is doing it.”
Furthermore, she criticized the quality of food provided to teacher trainees, recalling her own experience at Bolgatanga Training College, where she saw gari and beans for the first time, which was a dish unfamiliar to her from the northern region.
She argued that while feeding students is intended to motivate them, it is crucial to ensure that those entering teacher and nursing colleges genuinely have the passion and need for these professions.
“We need to focus on individuals who truly require access to teacher and nursing training,” she concluded.
