Master’s Graduate Aims to Elevate Nursing in Ghana
USask fall graduate Kofi Junior Effah Frimpong celebrates completion of his Masters; embarks on PhD in Nursing.
Kofi Junior Effah Frimpong (MN’25) is a nurse from Ghana, who came to the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Nursing to pursue his Master of Nursing (MN) degree. But he’s not stopping there. While most nursing students celebrated the completion of their program during USask’s fall convocation November 12, for Kofi, it marked both an ending and a new beginning — the conclusion of his MN thesis studies and the start of his journey towards a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing.
After earning his Diploma in Nursing from Berekum Holy Family Nursing and Midwifery in Ghana, his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Cape Coast, and his Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialty training, Effah Frimpong built his career as a specialist in ENT nursing, while also working in acute care and emergency.
Three years into his profession, he began to wonder what the next step in his nursing journey might be. His search for new challenges led him to apply to schools in Canada and when he received a scholarship offer from the University of Saskatchewan, he knew it was time to take the leap.
With excitement and determination, he packed his bags for Saskatoon.
When asked about his first impressions of Canada, Effah Frimpong goes straight to the weather; the cold.
"In Ghana, the average temperature is around 16 degrees, but I quickly learned that in Saskatchewan it can drop to minus 30, so that was definitely a bit of a culture shock," said Effah Frimpong.
He adds that life in Canada has been quite different from what he was used to in Ghana, where it’s common for extended families to live together under one roof. Adjusting to a new culture and language came with its challenges at first, but the experience has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Canada has been very welcoming... the people, the faculty… everyone has been so friendly,” said Effah Frimpong, who is also registered to practice as a nurse in Canada.
When Effah Frimpong first arrived in Canada, he planned to focus his thesis on ENT nursing — the field he knew best. But after discovering that ENT nursing wasn’t recognized as a specialty in Canada, he began to rethink his path. In searching for a new direction, he looked inward, drawing on his experiences and connections to his home country of Ghana. That reflection led him to a field where he could make a real difference and shine a light on issues close to his heart.
After connecting with his supervisor, Dr. Natasha Hubbard Murdoch (PhD), and committee member, Dr. Sithokozile Maposa (PhD), both from USask College of Nursing, Effah Frimpong found himself drawn to the topic of burnout.
He wanted to understand what drives nurses, especially those working in challenging rural settings, to keep going despite exhaustion and limited resources. His master’s thesis, “Driven to Nurse in Rural Africa: A Scoping Review of the Experiences of Burnout,” brought together existing literature on the topic, but he also wanted to hear real voices behind the data. To do that, he conducted a small qualitative study with African rural nurses, who are now students at USask, capturing their stories and the realities they’ve faced on their nursing journeys.
The findings confirmed what Effah Frimpong had suspected all along.
“I found burnout is quite high in Africa. Almost all the nurses I spoke with said they had experienced signs of burnout,” Effah Frimpong explained.
“Some of the main factors were heavy workloads, low salaries, and a sense of being excluded from decision-making.”
Participants also shared how they cope—often through prayer and spirituality, as well as the support of family and community.
“Because of the way we live in Africa, when someone is experiencing burnout, we come together to support them,” said Effah Frimpong. “If a person is facing financial difficulties, we pool money to help. If they are going through emotional stress, we provide support and encouragement.”
Despite this strong informal network, he noted that no formal burnout mitigation strategies existed within the healthcare facilities in Ghana; a gap he suggests should be addressed.
Effah Frimpong speaks warmly about his MN supervisor, Dr. Natasha Hubbard Murdoch, calling her “the best supervisor ever.”
“Our relationship was amazing, and I learned so much,” said Effah Frimpong.
“She didn’t just guide me academically, she actively encouraged me to join a research team, checked in to make sure I had the tools I needed to succeed, and provided support in every way, from lending books to making sure I had a laptop. Along the way, I also became her research assistant, gaining hands-on experience that not only deepened my skills, but strengthened our collaborative bond.”
Effah Frimpong also commends his MN committee member, Dr. Maposa, for his success.
“Dr. Maposa has provided and continues to provide invaluable guidance and encouragement throughout my journey as a graduate nursing student at USask.”
With his Master of Nursing now complete, Effah Frimpong is moving into his doctoral research, taking a slightly new direction while remaining focused on Africa. His PhD will explore migrant health, with a particular focus on HPV immunization among children.
Effah Frimpong is enthusiastic about beginning his PhD.
"I have this need to continue reading and learning,” said Effah Frimpong.
“I am deeply committed to expanding my horizons. In Ghana, there are currently no ENT nurses with a PhD.”
When Effah Frimpong completes his PhD and returns to Ghana, he knows he will do so with a full heart.
“It’s not just the guidance from my supervisors and professors that I’ve appreciated,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed connecting with fellow students. The College of Nursing has dedicated graduate student spaces where we meet, chat, and share ideas. I’m constantly meeting new people and learning from them. My educational experience in Canada has been more than I could have imagined.”