Florence Nightingale Foundation secures international grant to strengthen the next generation of nurses and midwives in Ghana
The Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF) has been awarded a USD $30,000 grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) through its selective 30 for 30 initiative to launch an innovative leadership and workforce development programme for nurses and midwives in Ghana.
Delivered in partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Health, the Ghana National Preceptorship Pilot Programme will support newly registered nurses and midwives as they make the critical transition from education into professional practice, helping to build a confident, capable and resilient workforce for the future.
The award recognises the shared commitment of FNF, the Ministry of Health for Ghana and SNF to investing in the next generation of health professionals and strengthening health systems through leadership, education and international collaboration.
Nurses and midwives represent almost 80% of Ghana’s health and care workforce and are central to delivering safe, high-quality care across the country. However, the transition from student to registered professional is one of the most challenging stages of a clinical career. Without structured support, many newly qualified professionals experience reduced confidence, increased workplace pressures and a greater risk of leaving the profession.
Through this pioneering programme, FNF and Ghana’s Ministry of Health will adapt and deliver Preceptor Plus™, a digitally enabled programme that equips experienced nurses and midwives with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become effective preceptors, supporting colleagues as they begin their professional careers.
Over the next 12 months, 100 experienced nurses and midwives from across Ghana will participate in a structured capacity-building programme to strengthen their preceptorship knowledge, skills and mentoring capabilities. These enhanced competencies will enable them to provide more effective guidance, supervision and professional support to 200 newly recruited nurses and midwives. By strengthening support at the start of professional practice, the programme aims to improve confidence, enhance retention and ultimately contribute to better patient care.
The programme builds on FNF’s growing international portfolio of leadership development, including successful partnerships in Malawi and Kenya, demonstrating how investment in nursing leadership creates lasting benefits for individuals, organisations and the communities they serve.
Importantly, the programme aligns with Ghana’s National Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Plan 2024–2028, supporting national priorities to strengthen leadership, workforce capability and quality of care.
Delivered through a blended digital learning model, the programme will enable participation from every region of Ghana, creating the foundations for a sustainable national approach to preceptorship.
Professor Arlene Wellman MBE, Strategic Advisor at the Florence Nightingale Foundation, said:
“Every nurse and midwife deserves the best possible start to their professional career. The transition into practice can shape confidence, resilience and long-term career success, and we know that high-quality preceptorship makes a significant difference.
Thanks to the generous support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and our partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Health, we have an exciting opportunity to invest in the next generation of nurses and midwives, strengthen clinical leadership and create a sustainable model of support that has the potential to transform professional practice across Ghana.”
Evelyn Amoako, Ag. Chief Programmes Officer for Nursing and Midwifery at Ghana’s Ministry of Health, said:
“Newly registered nurses and midwives play a vital role in delivering healthcare across Ghana. By strengthening the support available during their transition into practice, we can improve professional development, increase workforce retention and enhance the quality of care provided to our communities.
This partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to developing a confident, capable and future-ready nursing and midwifery workforce that will help meet the evolving health needs of our country.”
This programme has been made possible through the generous support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) as part of its 30 for 30 initiative, celebrating 30 years of partnerships with organisations creating positive social impact around the world.
