Our History

History of Community Health Nursing Training College, Akim Oda

Community Health Nursing Training College, Akim Oda, is one of the oldest public health training institutions in Ghana. Since its establishment, the college has played a major role in training frontline health personnel for the country, especially for rural and underserved communities. For more than six decades, the institution has contributed significantly to the development of Ghana’s public health workforce.

The institution was established in 1962 as the second Community Health Training School in Ghana, following the first school in Tamale, which opened in 1960. Its establishment responded to a national shortage of public health nurses. The main purpose was to train assistants who could support public health nursing services across the country, particularly in deprived areas where access to healthcare staff was limited. The pioneer intake consisted of 20 female students, and the school offered a two-year Certificate in Community Health Nursing for holders of the Middle School Leaving Certificate.

Over time, the institution expanded in response to changing national health needs. Its curriculum, programmes, and administrative structure evolved to align with reforms in healthcare training in Ghana. A major milestone came in 2005, when the school introduced the Diploma in Community Health Nursing. Akim Oda and Winneba were the first two institutions in Ghana to pilot this programme. In 2021, the programme was renamed Registered Public Health Nursing. The programme operates under affiliation with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and students sit for terminal examinations under the university affiliation system. The college has distinguished itself academically, producing the overall best graduating Registered Diploma in Public Health Nursing student in Ghana for three consecutive years. This achievement reflects the strong academic culture of the institution.

The college also broadened its programme portfolio with the introduction of a Diploma in Midwifery in the 2020 to 2021 academic year. This programme was designed for post-basic nurses and was affiliated with the University of Cape Coast. However, the programme has since been discontinued. At present, the Certificate in Registered Nurse Assistant Preventive remains active. In addition, the institution has secured accreditation to begin a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, with the first intake planned for January 2026. The annual review also indicates a broader institutional ambition to secure accreditation to run a full four-year BSc in Public Health Nursing, showing the college’s commitment to higher-level professional training.

Leadership has been central to the growth and transformation of the college. The institution has been guided by several principals over the years. Among them are Mrs Susanna Adjei, who served from 1982 to 2008, Madam Francisca Lillian Amarh, who served from 2008 to 2016, Madam Hagar Agyir Binn, who served from 2016 to 2019, and Dr Jones Abekah Baah, who served from 2019 to 2025. Dr Baah’s tenure was noted for increased student intake and major institutional expansion. Mrs Stella Sarpomaa Oppong became principal as of 2025, at a time when the school was undergoing restructuring to meet new academic and regulatory standards.

In recent years, the college has also made progress in infrastructure development. The  Queen Mother of Akyem Kotoku donated land to support the institution’s expansion. That land is being developed into staff accommodation facilities, with future plans for an additional student accommodation annex. The college has also embarked on the construction of a two-storey classroom and office block, alongside investment in facilities such as an ICT laboratory. These developments reflect deliberate efforts to improve the teaching and learning environment and strengthen the institution’s capacity to serve more students effectively.

Despite its achievements, the college faces several challenges. These include poor academic performance among some students, demotions and dismissals, fee payment difficulties, broken chairs, and an overaged bus. In response, the institution has outlined a way forward that includes strengthening research activities, improving practical training, implementing remedial measures for weak students, and pursuing accreditation for expanded degree programmes. These efforts show that the college is not only conscious of its challenges but is actively planning for improvement and long-term growth.