The 2026 edition of the Military Nightingales’ Week Celebration has concluded with a closing ceremony held at the Quartermaster Yard of the 37 Military Hospital on Friday, 18 September 2026. The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, served as the Chairman of the event, while the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, attended as the Special Guest of Honour.
During her speech, the Chairperson of the Planning Committee and Chief Nursing Officer of the 37 Military Hospital, Colonel Vivian Malvin Adjah, said that over the past five days, the celebration had showcased excellence in nursing and healthcare services, community service through the Medical Outreach programme, professional growth through workshops and health talks, as well as unity and morale, fostered through interactions and camaraderie. She urged the Military Nightingales to continue serving with excellence, noting that clients or patients deserve nothing less. She further urged military nurses and midwives to continue supporting one another, emphasizing that no nurse walks the journey alone.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing, said it was a pleasure to join the event marking the conclusion of the 2026 Military Nightingales’ Week. He said he was delighted to learn that the Celebration had been impactful and successful. He urged the Military Nightingales never to underestimate the significance of their work. The CNS further encouraged them to carry forward the spirit of the celebration by continuing to learn, mentor and support one another, while placing the wellbeing and dignity of patients at the centre of all they do. He concluded his speech with a call to invest in and empower the Military Nightingales and promote excellence in healthcare delivery
In her speech, the Acting Director General, Nursing and Midwifery Services, Colonel Francisca Aba Amakyi, charged all military nurses and midwives to protect and actively keep Florence Nightingale’s legacy of the lamp burning. She highlighted that, as Military Nightingales, personnel bear a unique double duty: maintaining clinical and compassionate excellence, while remaining structurally prepared to serve by land, sea and air, across Ghana and global peacekeeping frontiers. Her speech underscored the importance of continuous clinical development and advocated deeper cohesion between the military nursing corps and their civilian counterparts. She further emphasised that the sustainable future of the Ghana Armed Forces Nursing and Midwifery practice depends heavily on honouring the Revered Retirees and integrating their institutional wisdom to mentor emerging health professionals.
During her address as the Special Guest of Honour, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, charged military nurses and midwives to remain deeply committed to providing healthcare and demonstrating compassion by land, sea and air. Dr Ayensu-Danquah emphasised the value of integrating the knowledge, skills and experience of retired nurses and midwives. She noted that leveraging the wisdom of veterans is critical to the proper preparation and mentoring of the next generation of health professionals. The Deputy Minister for Health assured the gathering that the Ministry of Health would sustain long-term structural support for the welfare, professional advancement and advanced training of the Ghana Armed Forces Health Services. She also conveyed formal appreciation to the Leadership of the the Ghana Armed Forces Health Services, the Planning Committee and sponsors for facilitating the Celebration. The Deputy Minister of Health also officially unveiled the Maiden Magazine for the Military Nightingales’ Association, dubbed  “The Military Nightingales’ Voice”.
The Closing Ceremony also featured the ‘Rallying Around the Lamp’, a solemn ritual that drew on the legacy of Florence Nightingale. The rite, which was led by Col Patience Akuvi Dzigbordi Awumee, included a renewal of the pledge to keep the Florence Nightingale’s Lamp burning with excellence, dedication and compassion, across all medical institutions and stations within the Ghana Armed Forces Health Services.
As part of the climax of the Celebration, several personnel who distinguished themselves in service as Military Nightingales were presented with plaques during the Awards Ceremony. Special gifts were also presented to the Chief of the Naval Staff, the Co-Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Colonel Patience Akuvi Dzigbordi Awumee and other deserving individuals. The event also featured cultural performances by the Great Africa Heritage Dance Ensemble.
The Closing Ceremony was attended by the Director General, Defence Civilian Establishment, Brigadier General Chris Dagadu; Commander, 37 Military Hospital, Brigadier General Richard Mensah;Â Director General, Medical and Dental Services, Brigadier General Clement Laryea; Commander, Tamale Field Hospital, Brigadier General Percy Sydney Tete Annan; Commanding Officer, 37 Military Hospital, Colonel Alex Abiti; Chief Nursing Officers of the various military hospitals; Nursing Officer In-Charges (NOICs); representatives from sister medical institutions; and members of the Retired Military Nursing Officers’ Association, the Retired Other Ranks’ Association and the Retired Defence Civilian Staff’s Association.
