History Of Ghana Nurses Association UK (Formed November 1993)
Timeline:
- Formed in November 1993 by five dedicated nurses
- Meeting started in a Church Hall at Manor House, London N4.
- First executives were elected by nomination in April 1994
- Mr Kojo “Bob” Hagan became the first chairperson.
- 1996-1997, membership had increased so the Association moved the meeting venue to a Hall at Thessally Rd in the South area.
- In 1998 the Ghana Nurses Association (UK) was inaugurated at the Royal National Hotel which was attended by 600 people.
- Meeting venue changed to a central place – Walworth Methodist Church, London SE5 where we have remained to date.
- Ghana Nurses Association celebrated its 10th anniversary with a dinner and dance at the Connaught Rooms, London W2 in 2003
- Ghana Nurses Association celebrated our 20th anniversary in 2013
REFLECTIONS OF OUR HISTORY, PROGRESSION, THE WAY FORWARD
The inception of Ghana Nurses Association occurred as a result of the death of a Ghanaian Nurse who died tragically in London. She did not have any relations in London so all her funeral arrangements and expenses were undertaken by her nursing colleagues. Through conversation among some friends an idea was conceived that there was a need to form an Association by Ghanaian Nurses in order to help each other in times of need.
The Association was formed in November 1993 by five dedicated nurses namely:
- Late Mrs Beatrice Oheneba Nyarko ( nee Boateng)
- Mrs Bridget Asare
- Mrs Vida Osei-Kuffour
- Mrs Charlotte Preko-Afran
- Mrs Sarah Asifo
They are Registered Nurses who worked and held positions in various fields of nursing. They envisaged that membership was to be opened to all trained “nurses, midwives and health visitors” of Ghanaian origin and marriage. Members may be retired from or working in any of the specialist areas of management, education, statutory/voluntary and private settings. The Association was to be voluntary, non- political, non-religious and non- profit making.
The primary aims of the Association is to foster unity, friendship and support to individual members faced with life cycle events ( eg births, marriages, death or sudden thrust into acutely reduced circumstances. Also aimed to contribute to healthcare/education in Ghana, share knowledge and expertise with each other, donate to charitable causes in the UK and maintain close relationship with other Black & Ethnic Minority Nurses Associations.
The founding members commenced recruitment for membership by contacting friends and colleagues. There was no formal advertisement but rather recruitment was done by word of mouth and via telephone conversation between friends. Recruitment became on-going.
The process of organisation was led by Mrs Charlotte Preko-Afran who managed to secure a premise for meeting in a Church Hall at Manor House, London N4.
The first founding members meeting took place in January 1994 and the subsequent monthly meeting saw more nurses joining. As a result the first executives were elected by nomination in April 1994 and Mr Kojo “Bob” Hagan became the first chairperson. The Association continue to grow in membership, executive meetings held in between, minutes of our meetings were distributed by post and sub- committee created as needed.
A constitution was drawn by general consensus, our Motto was agreed upon and a formal name given as” Ghana Nurses Association (UK).” Members agreed that the symbols for our Association would be the colours of Ghana flag in the form of a badge, Kente sash, and a logo designed by the son of Mrs Vida Osei- Kuffour (Founding member).
Initial socialisation was done by having get- together in rented halls and food cooked by individuals. This was held twice a year but attendance became poor as time went by so the event was reduced to once a year. In the years from 1996-1997, membership had increased so the Association moved the meeting venue to a hall at Thessally Rd in the South area.
In 1998 the Ghana Nurses Association (UK) was inaugurated at the Royal National Hotel which was attended by 600 people. After the inauguration, our meeting venue changed to a central place – Walworth Methodist Church, London SE5 where we have remained to date.
The first ballot for new executive members and a chairperson In 2003, Ghana Nurses Association celebrated our 10th anniversary with a dinner and dance at the Connaught Rooms, London W2took place after 7 years. . It was then agreed by the executive members to revert back to twice yearly social events, which was, Thanksgiving service in May, Dinner & Dance in September and Sponsor walk in the summer.
Ghana Nurses Association (UK) has now progressed well: it’s now registered as a Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee.
Membership is over 300
Meetings are held bi-monthly with alternate executive meeting plus sub- committee as and when needed.
Admission forms can only be obtained at meetings and new members are introduced and initiated into the Association after one year.
Creation of Area Welfare Officers within the different part s of London and Counties to assist the Chief Welfare officer.
A website has been created so that further information can be access about the Association.
Communication has improved through emails, text messages and minutes are sent to members electronically.
New executive are elected through balloting every two years but individuals can choose to serve a four year term.
Have helped to set up and support projects/ charities in Ghana and the UK.
Have embarked on educational lectures to members for their professional development
Won the Best Association Award – GUBA AWARDS
Set up a Gift Aid system.
Attained Charitable status
COLLECTIVE VISION OF PAST CHAIRPERSONS
- To adopt a ward at regional hospitals in Ghana.
- To create branches of the Association in other major cities in the UK.
- To donate £10.000 for Korle Bu Children’s Emergency Ward re-build
- To work together with Black & Ethnic Minority Nurses Association.
- To improve the welfare of GNA members in times of need.
- To uphold the professional Code of practice and maintain responsibilities consistent with nursing ethical obligations.
- To embrace young nurses into the Association
- To educate and share knowledge in order to give hope and opportunity to others.
- To link with Ghana Registered Nurses Association.
- To attain charitable status.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
To continue to support healthcare in various regional hospitals in Ghana by donating equipment and adopting wards.
To adopt children’s ward at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana
To send medical/nursing books to Korle Bu hospital in Ghana
To continue to support projects/charities both in Ghana the United Kingdom.
We give Glory to God for using the Founding member to foster sisterly togetherness among Ghanaian Nurses.
We also thank all the nurses who worked so hard initially to bring this Association forward and especially to Mrs Charlotte Preko-Afran for her contribution.
The little idea discussed in a private confinement years ago has germinated into the formidable and dynamic Ghana Nurses Association UK.
Your help in achieving our aim in future would be greatly appreciated.
Long live Ghana
Long live GNA
“We Care And We Serve”