Rawlings advises medical professionals to uphold values

Ghana’s former President, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, has charged midwives and other medical professionals to hold on to their values, in spite of the difficult economic circumstances brought about by the savagery and corruption of capitalism.

He decried how the savagery of capitalism has brought in its wake huge difficulties that are destroying human values, but prayed that despite the challenges, midwives will continue to exhibit compassion in their chosen profession.

Former President Rawlings made these remarks at a meeting with the leadership of the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA), who called on him on Wednesday, to invite him to be the Guest of Honour of their programme to climax the 80th anniversary celebrations of the  Association in August.

 
The former President also described as immoral the upsurge in decapitations, and the use of children for suicide bombings by Boko Haram and related movements.

He said: 'No matter the justification for waging war against the savagery and corruption of capitalism; no matter the justification for waging war against the persecution of Palestinians, there is no justification for the misuse of seven-year-old children in suicide killing,  nor is there justification for the brutal beheading of people, or carving out their hearts in this war.”

Former First Lady and President of the 31st December Women’s Movement, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, questioned the rationale behind the institutionalization of the concept of protocol allocation in Nursing Training Colleges, Universities and the Security Services admissions,  and linked it directly to the poor quality of professionals found in hospitals and other institutions.

Nana Konadu said: “As a nation, we should look for competence rather than bring mediocre people to fit them into certain positions at all cost. People should be qualified and competent enough before being offered opportunities. It is bringing our educational system down. If people do not have a passion for the profession there is no need to bring them in through the protocol quota system.”

The GRMA, the parent organization of all public and private sector midwives in the country, launched its anniversary celebrations in 2014, and has been embarking on monthly programmes, including medical screenings, cleanup exercises and media open days.

The Association intends to honour the former President during the August event, for the efforts his government put in place during his tenure as Head of State to uplift its status.

The delegation which was jointly led by Madam Benedicta Kissi, Chairperson of the Anniversary Planning Committee and the Association’s President, Mrs Joyce Jetua,  commended President and Mrs. Rawlings for the diverse efforts they made in recognizing the worth of nurses and midwives.

GNA