He challenged the students to study hard and impact positively the knowledge to be acquired to improve efficiency in the public sector in their respective countries.

[contextly_sidebar id=”SROgBDuEArFe2UaffxRizDHcdjulsZgv”]Prof. Adams, also the Head of Academic and Administration of the Institute, gave the advice at the 12th Cohort matriculation ceremony of 28 students from four West African countries who undertook a one-year Master of Public Sector Management Degree programme sponsored by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and hosted by GIMPA.

The countries include Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia and the programme was designed to equip Anglophone West Africa countries with a critical mass of public sector managers trained to provide effective leadership for meeting the developmental challenges in their various countries.

“You need to have a vision in preparation of the programme because that would drive your aspiration to succeed and you need to broaden your horizon and expand your experiences for the course to make you better,” he said.

He said the public sector played a critical role in effective administration of any country and it was imperative for them to harness and integrate their skills to be change ambassadors as far as reforms in the sector was concerned.

Prof. Adams said GIMPA had trained more than 400 students through the programme since its inception in 2010 and expressed the hope that participants, at the end of the course, would contribute to the collective pursuit of sustainable development and poverty reduction on the African Continent.

Mrs Naomi Omani Marbell, the Class President of the programme, commended GIMPA for hosting them as well as the ACBF for the funding and pledged their commitment to adhere to the rules of the institute for the success of the course to make an impact on Africa.

“We expect an interactive session with the lectures as we gain new knowledge to build the needed capacity in the civil service in West Africa.

“We hope to learn from each other and widen our horizon to face emerging challenges on the African Continent and contribute our quota in our respective countries for development,” she said.

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Source: GNA

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A convocation ceremony to elect a Deputy Rector last Thursday, was called off by the acting Registrar, Julius Atikpui, who explained in a letter that the decision was reached in consultation with the Ministry of Education and the National Council for Tertiary Education.

[contextly_sidebar id=”8hU7zlJzpLbkSm1IzgTico5s6ikOAKSe”]But the GIMPA staff believe the decision to cancel the convocation is a deliberate one to frustrate the process, hence their notice of a strike.

The Executive Secretary for the NCTE, Professor Mohammed Salifu, shed further light on the matter saying the election was called off to enable the Ministry of Education examine a court judgement on the exercise.

Speaking to Citi News, Prof. Salifu clarified that: “Nobody has denied them the opportunity of going through that process. It is just that in these peculiar circumstances, we have a court ruling and we need to be absolutely sure how that court ruling is respected and we are thinking; if they went ahead with the decision, they could take a decision that would impact adversely on what eventually will be decided. You may have a grievance, but the way you go about the grievance can make or unmake your case.”

Prof. Salifu further stressed that, the smooth running of academic activities at GIMPA was a priority of the NCTE, as he condemned the actions of staff that were affecting lectures.

“What we have told management to do is to make sure that academic activity is not interrupted; but it is not everybody who is subscribing to that. One or two people are insisting they are on strike and have not been attending lectures. Even if you go on strike, there is a procedure that you have to follow. You don’t just go for a meeting and after the meeting, you decide that you have declared a strike and you start locking up classrooms. That is completely unlawful.”

Background to lawsuit

Professor Philip Duku Osei, who was the Deputy Rector at GIMPA,  filed a suit at a Madina District Court against the Rector, Chairman of the Council and the Registrar, challenging their decision to declare his position vacant.

Prof Osei argued that he was still at post although reports are that he was appointed in 2014 to serve a two-year term.

The court in January subsequently directed that he be compensated for a year, but GIMPA be allowed to appoint a a substantive Deputy Rector.

His case was anchored on a revision of the statutes of the Council which extended the tenure of the office holder to three years.

Thus, the decision taken by the management of the Institute to call for the election of a new Deputy Rector was premature, given the fact that he still has a year left in his tenure, Prof Osei said.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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A convocation to elect a Deputy Rector today [Thursday], was called off by the acting Registrar, Julius Atikpui, who explained in a letter that the decision was reached in consultation with the Ministry of Education, and the National Council for Tertiary Education.

However, the staff believe the decision to cancel the convocation is a deliberate one to frustrate the process, hence the notice of a strike.

According to a mail sent to all staff members and seen by Citi News, “the decision to strike arose from the failure by GIMPA Management to conform to a key element of voting to elect a Deputy Rector today as provided within the road map of 31st January, 2017.”

It further added that,“the behaviour by Management is contrary to the advice of the lawyers.”

The letter also asked staff members to be bold and resilient in the decision taken.

“Please be bold and conform to this directive. This applies to both administrative, teaching and supporting staff. The strike action will remain in force until we have a satisfactory resolution; a Deputy Rector is elected.”

Meanwhile, some students of the institution have expressed worry about the latest development.
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By: Felicia Osei/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Nana Akufo-Addo, who was speaking at a meeting with the Private Enterprise Federation at the Ghana Institute of Management And Public Administration (GIMPA) said the system will help ensure the country has a solid database.

“The National Identification system is the primary identifier with linkages to the databases of institutions such as the police, the National Health Insurance Scheme, Passport office, immigration, courts, the Ghana Revenue and the Driver Licensing Authority.”

“The process of giving our country a National Identification system began president Kufuor’s time. Eight years later, nothing has been done about it and it is our intention that within the very first year of our mandate, we intend to complete the process of national identification,” the President-elect said.

The National Identification Authority (NIA) was set up by former President John Kufuor in 2003 to manage the identities of Ghanaians and foreign nationals in the country.

The NIA was to merge the various national identification documents from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Passport Office and the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in one database.

IMANI’s challenge

Policy think tank, IMANI Ghana, has already listed, among other things, streamlining and harmonising the various identification system as one of the key issues the incoming NPP should address with urgency.

This will allow Ghanaians to use one identification card for multiple systems thus removing the inconveniences, inefficiencies and the monetary costs of deploying parallel infrastructure, the think tank has indicated.

IMANI noted, as an example, that the Electoral Commission’s (EC) biometric identification system cost $400m but $250m off this figure could have been cut by harmonising the various identification systems.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Ahead of his official swearing-in on January 7, 2017, Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to present the list of his proposed ministers to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for review.

A meeting between the President-elect and NEC on Thursday, December 15 to deliberate on the matter, ended without a decision being taken on which personalities will serve as ministers in the incoming government.

Akufo-Addo rather asked for more time to take the decision, according to Citi News’ Sammy Wiafe who monitored the meeting in Accra.

Another meeting has been scheduled between the President-elect and the NEC to bring closure on the matter.

Although the list is yet to be made, some persons have begun making suggestions and speculations on personalities to fill key positions in the Akufo-Addo led administration.

Member of Parliament-elect for La Dadekotopon, Vincent Odotei Sowah, and former Minister under the erstwhile John Kufour administration Alan Kyeremanteng, are among those tipped as likely ministerial appointees to serve in the new government.

Appoint experienced hands, not ‘babies with sharp teeth’ – Prof Adei

Already, a former rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adei, has advised President-elect, Nana Akufo-Addo, to appoint more experienced hands as ministers in his government rather than exuberant youth with no experience.

He argued that the country’s current economic challenges require more experienced persons to manage it.

He further added that the President-elect needs to look beyond members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to appoint ministers.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

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He argued that the country’s current economic challenges require more experienced persons to manage it.

[contextly_sidebar id=”BqmmggTmfpx9QiYixGO48h9dzCsiOLbE”]Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, Professor Adei said, “I think that there is plenty of room for youth in technical work, but much of the cabinet type of level requires a lot of wisdom. I wouldn’t expect too many young people there. I’m talking about those below 45. Many of them will not be in cabinet position, but they will be in very relevant technical positions. I expect one or two of them but at this stage of Ghana’s development, I don’t expect a lot of them. They should be there as the technical advisers and not the decision makers.”

“We saw these babies with sharp teeth and other things and they nearly ruined our country and destroyed our culture with impunity and disrespect,” he added.

‘Appoint ministers beyond NPP members’

Prof. Adei further called on the President-elect to look beyond members of the NPP in appointing his ministers.

He believes that there are competent persons outside the NPP who could effectively serve in government.

“For certain areas, you must go out. Not many of them, you need to get a top person. For instance, when we started the petroleum ministry, Armah Kofi-Buah and the rest what did he know about petroleum? You go to a Ghanaian who is at the top and knows how to manage things for the sake of Ghana.”

He said professionals in various fields should be appointed to serve in relevant offices in government without consideration of their political affiliation.

‘Akufo-Addo meets NPP NEC over appointments’

President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to present a list of proposed ministers to serve in his government to the New Patriotic Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) today [Thursday].

The party will also in turn present some names to the President-elect for deliberations.

But ahead of this, some Ghanaians have begun speculating and suggesting names for some ministerial positions.

Member of Parliament-elect for La Dadekotopon, Vincent Odotei Sowah, and former Minister under the erstwhile John Kufour administration Alan Kyeremanteng, are among those tipped as likely ministerial appointees to serve in the new government.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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He urged them to harness and integrate their skills to be change ambassadors as far as reforms in the public sector was concerned.

Prof Adams challenged them to perform well in the discharge of their duties and make a mark in both their organisations and respective countries.

The Professor gave the advice in Accra at the 11th Cohort graduation ceremony where 37 students from five West Africa countries graduated with Masters of Public Sector Management Training, which was sponsored by the African Capacity Building Foundation and hosted by GIMPA.

The countries include Ghana, Nigeria, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The programme was designed to provide participants who are senior and middle level managers, with practical experiences in public sector management and skills for efficient and effective management of public sector organisations.

Prof Adams said GIMPA had trained more than 400 students through the programme and advised participants to form network of professionals to share ideas on improving the public sector in their various countries.

Madam Hajara Mohammed emerged the overall best students with a grade point of 3.83 and was presented with a certificate and a cash of GH₵ 750.

She thanked God for the opportunity as well as sponsors and faculty members for the training and pledge to make good use of the knowledge acquired to benefit the public sector.

She entreated the graduands to show effective public management qualities in their various fields and guard against any elements that would derail the success of programmes in the public sector.

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Source: GNA

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A former rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Prof. Stephen Adei, has expressed hope in the future of technical education in Ghana through the upgrading of polytechnics to universities.

[contextly_sidebar id=”hvlomgUrMUPtYTOThPb3rsTQkhRIgDtb”]He said the technical university model has the potential to be as successful as GIMPA, which increased its turnover 30 times within a period of nine years under his leadership.

Prof. Adei urged the institution to take advantage of opportunities in the Western Region, by partnering with the ports and players in the oil and gas industry.

He said a new technical university must have a clear mission and vision to produce technologically-inclined, ICT savvy and industry-connected output.

On staffing, Prof. Adei said: “Universities are made by those who are the core professors. To remedy the handicap of becoming a university with a handicap in staff, there must be measures to attract quality and experienced tutors.”

“If you go to a typical polytechnic, a third of the tutors don’t qualify as university lecturers. At a certain time, those people must be out. It is painful, but unless those decisions are taken, you will be a fourth-class university,” he concluded.

Takoradi Technical University, formerly Takoradi Polytechnic, was established as a Government Technical Institute in 1954.

It was upgraded by the Polytechnic Act 321 (PNDC Law 1993) to become part of the Ghana Tertiary Education System, which was later replaced in 2007 by the Polytechnic Law (Act 745).

Currently, the school has three campuses: Effiakuma (Takoradi), Butumagyebu (Sekondi) and Akatakyi (Agona-Nkwanta).

The new Akatakyi campus is the largest of the three, with an acreage of 152.3.

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Source: Lord Kweku Sekyi (freelancer)

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Work on the $10 million project is scheduled to start in February 2017, and will be completed after two years.

The President of the GIMPA Alumni Association, Mr Norman Yemetey Tetteh, made this known on Thursday, when he launched the GIMPA Alumni homecoming celebration.

A year-long activities have been outlined for the homecoming celebration on the theme: “Keeping Greenhill Alive.”

Mr Tetteh said the alumni association was entering into a private partnership to put up the facility, and indicated that the alumni had completed the financial arrangement with the partners.

Accommodation challenges
He indicated that the alumni association had realised that GIMPA lacked hostel facilities and added that the institution had a few hostels, which housed a few people for a short stay to write exams.

He said many students of GIMPA outside Accra faced challenges of finding suitable hostels around the institute and, therefore, the decision to construct the hostel facility was to address the challenges that students of the institute faced.

Mr Tetteh said authorities of GIMPA had given their blessing to the project, and indicated that the hostel facility would be run in partnership with GIMPA management.

Other activities
Mr Tetteh said the alumni association would proceed to the Akropong School for the Blind, after the launch of the homecoming celebration, to donate food items, non-alcoholic beverages and toiletries worth GH¢4,000 to the school.

He mentioned ‘a happy hour’ where alumni and students would interact, a congress, a health walk, a candle light procession, a blind date for old students to meet their friends, business meetings, fun games and a fundraising dinner dance and awards ceremony, as some of the activities lined up for the year-long celebration.

The Vice-President of the GIMPA Alumni Association, Mr Kwaku Sakyi-Danso, said since coming to office a year ago, the executive members of the association had revived the association and established strong contacts with the school authorities.

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Source: Graphic Online

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Organised by the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), the training programme is also meant to expose health practitioners to the modern technique of improving healthcare delivery and addressing challenges affecting the health sector in the continent.

The programme, dubbed Management of Development Institute (MDI), has participants from Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

[contextly_sidebar id=”0aZ6PoxoL5peyV2rOrLlw3MhtyIPDN2L”]It is being sponsored by Johnson and Johnson, a global manufacturer of healthcare products.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Accra, the West Africa Regional Director of MDI, Professor Sallah, said since the programme commenced, more than 900 participants from 32 African countries had benefited.

He said the programme had been designed to enhance the leadership and management skills of programme managers to implement their stated national health priorities.

Professor Sallah, who is also a Senior Lecturer, said GIMPA, over the past years, had championed the campaign for the improvement of the healthcare sector on the continent.

The institution, he said, had developed to become one of the best institutions that trained people in various fields.

Need for collaboration
A member of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) Board of Directors, Mr Atta Paidoo, who opened the ceremony, said although more resources had gone into the health sector, little had been achieved so far.

He said there was the need for various health managers in the sub-region to team up and work together in addressing challenges that hindered the growth of the health sector.

Mr Paidoo attributed the slow pace of growth in the health sector in the continent to the lack of collaboration among the various healthcare institutions in the country.

He said the only way for Africans to improve the healthcare delivery sector was for countries to collaborate on how to find solutions to issues affecting the growth of the health sector.

Considering the huge investment in the sector, Mr Paidoo stressed on need for health managers to adopt modern methods of improving healthcare delivery.

He, therefore, commended GIMPA and Johnson and Johnson for the efforts to enhance healthcare delivery in the sub-region.

Mr Paidoo also called on the participants to take advantage of the programme to upgrade their skills and use their knowledge to contribute towards the growth of the continent.

Fact sheet
More than 900 health managers in the sub-region have benefited from the Management of Development Institute (MDI) programme since 2012.

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By: Franklin Badu Jnr/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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