By Ghana News 
The Bolgatanga Nursing Training College is currently facing a significant enrollment crisis as 102 newly admitted students have rejected their offers for the 2025/2026 academic year. This mass withdrawal highlights growing concerns regarding the deteriorating state of facilities and a lack of diverse program options at the historic institution.
Principal Winifred Porsaa Wondong confirmed that six students already discontinued their studies shortly after reporting to campus. She warned that the student population will likely shrink further by the time this current batch reaches their final year.
Despite being founded in the late 1960s, the college struggles with outdated infrastructure that no longer meets modern educational standards. The institution currently deals with dilapidated auditoriums, inadequate lecture halls, and severe residential congestion that compromises student comfort.
Additional operational hurdles include a persistent land dispute and the lack of a proper perimeter fence to secure the campus. High maintenance costs for over-aged vehicles further drain the limited financial resources available to the school.
Principal Wondong is now calling on alumni and local government officials to intervene before the situation worsens. She specifically urged the Regional Minister, the MCE, and the area MP to lobby the GETFund for essential structural developments.
The requested improvements include a two-storey lecture block, separate residential housing for male and female students, and a new administration block. These additions would include modern facilities like a library and a computer laboratory to help the college regain its standing.
Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri Atanga attended the recent matriculation ceremony and pledged to assist the college. He assured faculty and students that his office is actively working to resolve the long-standing land dispute with the Zaare community.
Minister Atanga further promised that the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly would look into channeling legacy project funds toward these critical infrastructure gaps. This commitment aims to provide the necessary support to keep the institution functional and attractive to prospective nurses.
Beyond infrastructure, the principal addressed behavioral challenges affecting students across tertiary institutions, including excessive betting and internet fraud. She reminded students that living beyond their means to purchase expensive devices often leads to poor academic outcomes.
Despite these internal and external challenges, the college continues to deliver strong academic results. In the 2025 Nursing and Midwifery Council licensing exams, 181 out of 227 candidates from the college passed, achieving a success rate of 79.7 percent.
Also Read: Ghana and Jamaica Forge New Strategic Partnership: Nurses and Teachers to Head to the Caribbean
Source: Ghana News
