In a decisive and compassionate move, the Ministry of Health has officially postponed the 2025 Centralised Nursing and Midwifery Licensing Examinations to Wednesday, September 4, 2025, and directed that the exams be conducted in students’ respective training institutions. This announcement, released via the Ministry’s official Facebook page, has brought widespread relief to thousands of nursing and midwifery candidates across the country.

The decision was reached during a consultative meeting involving the Minister for Health, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and the Conference of Heads of Health Training Institutions (COHHETI). The consensus was clear: reverting to school-based exams would ensure smoother participation, reduce logistical burdens, and allow for more effective supervision by the NMC.

Earlier this year, the NMC had announced a shift toward centralised examination centers following the decoupling of Health Training Institutions from the Council. This meant students would have to travel—sometimes across regions—to sit for their final licensure exams at designated centers. While the intention was to streamline monitoring and standardize the process, the reality posed significant challenges.

Students expressed concerns over the financial strain of securing accommodation, feeding, and transportation. Many feared the emotional toll of writing critical exams in unfamiliar environments, far from the support systems of their schools and tutors.

“We were already anxious about the exams. Adding travel and housing stress made it worse,” said a final-year student from the Upper West Region. “This reversal is a blessing.”

According to the press release, the Ministry’s decision was driven by a commitment to student safety and fairness. The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, emphasized that it was not proper for students to travel from one region to another just to sit for examinations.

“This measure is necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of candidates, while ensuring fairness and proper monitoring of the examinations,” the Minister stated.

He further assured stakeholders that the Ministry will provide the necessary logistics to ensure the successful implementation of this directive. This includes coordination with the NMC and individual institutions to maintain exam integrity and smooth execution.

📅 What Comes Next?

• New Exam Date: Wednesday, September 4, 2025
• Venue: Individual Health Training Institutions across Ghana
• Candidates: Final-year nursing and midwifery students registered for the 2025 licensure exams
• Next Steps: A revised timetable and detailed guidelines will be issued by the NMC in due course

Training institutions are expected to prepare their facilities and staff for the upcoming exams, while students are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and focus on their preparations.

This development is being hailed as a victory for student advocacy and institutional dialogue. It reflects a responsive and humane approach to policymaking—one that listens to the concerns of those most affected and adapts accordingly.

The Ministry extended its appreciation to all candidates, institutions, and stakeholders for their cooperation and understanding during this transition. For many, this moment is more than a policy shift—it’s a reaffirmation that student welfare matters.

As Ghana continues to invest in the future of healthcare, decisions like these remind us that compassion and practicality must go hand in hand.