11/11/2025
Ghana Peri-Operative Nurses Launch Week-Long Celebration at KATH
The Ghana Society of Peri-Operative Nurses (GHASPON) has launched its annual Peri-Operative Nurses Week at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi with key emphasis on the critical importance of teamwork and excellence in the delivery of quality surgical services.
The theme for the launch, S.T.A.R.S, an acronym for “scrub nurses/surgeons, technicians, anaesthesia, recovery and support” staff, was chosen to underscore and celebrate the significance of teamwork in the peri-operative settings.
The launch witnessed enthusiastic participation from nurses, healthcare leaders, traditional authorities, and other stakeholders, beginning with a float through major streets of Kumasi. Attired in branded t-shirts, participants carried placards and banners to educate the public on the vital contributions of peri-operative nurses in ensuring patient safety, infection prevention, and seamless surgical procedures.
In her welcome address, the National Chairperson of GHASPON, Mrs. Vera Asimah Ackah, reminded members of the sacred calling of peri-operative nursing, stating “we are the silent stars who shine brightest when the lights in the theatre are dimmest. Every instrument we pass, every second we count, every infection we prevent, these are the unseen acts that turn fear into hope and crisis into survival. Today, under the S.T.A.R.S theme, we are not just celebrating ourselves; we are reminding Ghana that behind every successful surgery is a synchronised, selfless, and highly skilled team that deserves recognition, respect, and better welfare” she emphasised.
Mrs. Ackah called for urgent investment in peri-operative nursing training, modern theatre equipment, and improved service conditions for members.
Delivering the keynote address thereafter, Prof. Edward Appiah Boateng, Head of Department at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), commended peri-operative nurses for their unwavering commitment amid resource challenges.
In the operating theatre, every team member is a star. From the scrub nurse to the anaesthetist and surgeon, synergy defines success,” Prof. Boateng remarked.
The event was chaired by Nana Efua Serwaa Opoku Agyemang, Queen Mother of Betenase, who brought regal dignity to the occasion and praised nurses as the backbone of Ghana’s healthcare system.
DCNO Mrs. Barbara Egan delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the acting Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services (DNMS) at KATH, reaffirming the hospital’s commitment to enhancing training and working conditions for peri-operative staff. Similarly, a delegate from the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) pledged ongoing advocacy for improved remuneration and workplace safety.
The week-long programme features workshops, panel discussions, skills demonstrations, and presentation of awards to recognise outstanding peri-operative teams at KATH and beyond.
