BACKGROUND:
Globally, midwives are critical to the achievement of maternal and newborn health targets by ensuring quality sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health services. Their competency, ethical conduct, and access to supportive environments directly influence outcomes. In Ghana, midwifery education and practice are core to the strategic programmatic actions of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and key partners like UNFPA towards achieving the transformative results of zero preventable maternal deaths. Midwifery education in Ghana has evolved to direct-entry programmes at diploma, bachelor, masters and postgraduate specializations levels, resulting in well-educated midwives with strong leadership and services potentials. Strategic policy provisions (2018-2023) of the MOH sought to establish Midwifery Education and Practice Centres of Excellence Programme (MEPCEP-G) to further assure quality of academic education and clinical skills practice. A comprehensive assessment of earmarked institutions and clinical sites was conducted to set benchmarks for initiating innovations.

OBJECTIVES:
To determine the strengths and gaps of midwifery education institutions and their primary clinical facilities to drive MEPCEP innovations

METHODS:
A standardized assessment tool based on ICM/WHO global standards evaluated the governance, infrastructure, teaching resources, clinical partnerships and research capabilities of 9 midwifery institutions and 9 primary clinical sites.

RESULTS:
All institutions were duly accredited, had strong governance structures, well-equipped skills labs, some ICT resources and conducive classrooms. Faculty met minimum qualification requirements. However, research capabilities among faculty varied significantly and the quality of educational innovations and skills training were weak requiring transformation for MEPCEP

CONCLUSIONS:
Introduction of MEPCEP in Ghana is a laudable innovation requiring quality in accreditation, faculty research capabilities and exemplary student competency building

KEY MESSAGE:
Investment into MEPCEP through structured institutional assessments are foundational to efforts in enhancing the quality of midwifery education and practice. Poster session 3 (Group B)