The Psychiatric Nurses Group and the local Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GRNA) branch of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital on saturday night (20th October, 2012) held a farewell dinner in honour of Mrs. Alice Darkoa Asare-Allotey,the immediate past national president of the GRNA and the out-going Deputy Director of Nursing Services (In-Charge) (DDNS, I/C) at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, who is retiring after 38 years of dedicated service to humanity.
The colourful event dubbed 'Celebrating The Works of a Ghanaian Florence Nightingale' and held at pool terrace of the Wangara Hotel at Labone, Accra, was chaired by Mrs. Oware Gyekye, a former president of the International College of Nursing (ICN), and was attended by high profile personalities in the health service profession including the Chief Psychaitrist, Dr.Akwasi Osei, who is also the Medical Director of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital;
Mr. Kwaku Asante-Krobea, President of GRNA; Dr.Anna Puklo-Dzadey, Medical Director of Pantang Hospital; Chief Nursing Officer, Mr. Kumi Kyeremeh; Mr.Nsiah Anyetei,the in-coming DDNS,APH, among many others.
In his speech, Dr.Akawsi Osei described the retiring DDNS as a truely distingushed iconic figure not only in Ghanaian nursing but also in the West African sub-region, Commonwealth and worldwide. He mentioned virtues such as honesty, courage, forthrightness, objectivity and fairness as the hallmarks that stood Mrs.Asare-Allotey taller among her colleagues and took her to the summit of her profession.While thanking the nurses group for the honour done their out-going boss,the Chief Psychiatrist told them the best way they can immortalize the lagacy of DDNS is to uphold the values that she stood for. He therefore, appealed to the retiring icon to 'be around and continue to mentor the young ones even in retirement', and urged the government to seriously consider tapping the vast and rich experience of retirees like Mrs. Asare-Allotey as we inch towards the establishment of the Mental Health Authority in the wake of the passage of the Mental Health Act.
Dr.Osei further thanked Auntie Alice (as she is affectionately referred to) for her examplary and tremendous contribution towadrs the administration of the Hospital during the five years that she was in charge of the Nursing Administration, and wished her good health, long and prosperous retirement.
Mr. Asante-Krobea on his part, thanked Auntie Alice for leaving behind a stronger and more united GRNA and assured her of continuing all the good works she started.
The in-coming DDNS, Mr.Anyetei Nsiah, who described himself as the first born child of his predecessor thanked her for mentoring and guiding him to assume the mantle of leadership. He acknowledged the heavy responsibilities bestowed on him by his predecessor and assured her of his readiness to work for the betterment of the the facility, patients and staff.
In a very emotional parting speech, Mrs.Asare-Allotey expressed how positively surprised she was by the great honour done her by the nurses group, and thanked the Medical Director, management and the entire staff of the Hospital for their support in making her tenure a great success.She advised the nurses to be humble,honest,courteous and deligent in their duties and also see their profession as a rewarding one not only in financial and material terms but more crucially their impact on society.She expressed appreciation to her entire family for their support and prayers during the 38 years of service and pledged her willingness and readiness to offer her expertise and experience to all even in her period of retirement.
A beautiful citation and various gift items were presented to the retiring nurse amid dancing,dining and popping of botthes champagne by the group and invitees.
Story By: Osei Owusu Bempah (HHSA)