Deputy Minister Sulemana Backs Bole Nursing College TEIN, Donates GH¢10,000 to Student Activists

Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Yusif Sulemana has thrown his weight behind the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) chapter at Bole Nurses and Midwifery Training College, donating GH¢10,000 to the newly elected leadership while emphasising the importance of academic rigour alongside political engagement.

The Bole-Bamboi Member of Parliament made the donation during a swearing-in ceremony for fresh TEIN executives and welcome event for incoming students at the college. In remarks to the gathering, Mr Sulemana called on student members to resist the temptation to prioritise party activism over their studies, arguing that long-term success requires both political commitment and educational achievement.

Building a Track Record of Success

Mr Sulemana pointed to numerous former TEIN members who have risen to prominence within the current NDC government, framing their careers as proof that dedication to both academics and party work can yield tangible rewards. He described the party's history of recognising and promoting TEIN comrades who demonstrate both intellectual competence and organisational loyalty, positioning such advancement as motivation for the current cohort of student activists.

The Deputy Minister's message appears designed to counter a common concern in Ghanaian university and training college environments: that student political involvement can distract from core educational objectives. By highlighting successful alumni and pledging ongoing institutional support, Mr Sulemana aimed to demonstrate that the NDC view academic success and party membership as complementary rather than conflicting priorities.

Why It Matters for Ghana

The interaction underscores the deep entrenchment of party politics within Ghana's tertiary education ecosystem. TEIN networks operate across universities and training colleges as the NDC's primary student wing, mirroring similar structures maintained by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) through its tertiary education networks.

For Ghanaian nursing and midwifery students specifically, this development carries practical implications. Bole Nurses and Midwifery Training College trains healthcare professionals who will serve communities across northern Ghana and beyond. The emphasis on academic excellence from senior political figures is therefore relevant to the quality of healthcare delivery that future patients will receive—a concern that extends far beyond party politics.

The GH¢10,000 donation, whilst modest in national budgetary terms, reflects the ongoing financial commitments that political actors make to student organisations. This pattern of patronage has long been criticised by education advocates as a potential source of campus distraction and resource inequality, though others view it as legitimate political engagement with younger voters.

The Balance Question

Mr Sulemana's call for balance between activism and academics addresses a perennial tension in Ghanaian higher education. Student movements have historically played significant roles in national politics and social campaigns, producing many prominent figures. However, critics have raised concerns that intensive political organising can contribute to extended study periods, reduced academic performance, and campus polarisation.

The Deputy Minister's approach—advocating for simultaneous commitment rather than suggesting students abandon political engagement—reflects a pragmatic acknowledgment that student activism is an established feature of Ghanaian college life. His message to prioritise academics whilst remaining politically active suggests a preference for engaged but disciplined student citizens rather than either wholesale apolitical campuses or activism-first environments.

As Bole Nurses and Midwifery Training College's TEIN chapter begins its new term under fresh leadership, the spotlight will remain on whether the group can deliver on the Deputy Minister's vision: student leaders who build reputations for both intellectual contribution and organisational commitment.