GIMPA@65: GIMPA’s Greatest Contribution Is Its People, Not Certificates- Otumfuo

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, says GIMPA’s greatest contribution is not its buildings, programmes or certificates, but the men and women it has prepared for positions of responsibility across Ghana.

He observes that individuals whose knowledge and leadership have been influenced by the institute have filled the country’s ministries, public institutions, local government structures, businesses and professional organisations.

“Their contributions, whether publicly recognised or quietly rendered in service to society, form an important part of the history being celebrated,” he said in his speech at the school’s 65th anniversary climax on November 11, 2026.

“The true measure of an educational institution is not simply the number of certificates it awards, but the quality of the people it produces and the difference they make in society,” he said.

Present were Nananom, Prof Yaw Agyeman Badu, Chairman of the Governing Council; Prof Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, Rector; Prof Ebenzer Adaku, Deputy Rector; Prof Stephen Adei, former Rector; Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo; Kan Dapaah, former Minister for Defence;

The celebration took place under the theme, “The Legacy of Excellence, A Future in Digital Transformation”.

History
In his speech, the Chairman narrated how the institution was established in 1961 as the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) under a joint Ghana Government and United Nations Special Fund Project; the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) was set up to develop the public administrative system and train civil servants to plan and administer national, regional and local services.

Over the past 65 years, its mandate evolved through five successive instruments, from the Legislative Instrument of 1961 to the GIMPA Act 2004 (Act 676), which established it as a Chartered Public Tertiary Institute mandated to award certificates, diplomas and degrees up to PhD level, he furthered.

He said GIMPA now offers education, training and services in leadership, management, public administration, technology, law and other humanities disciplines for the public sector, private sector and NGOs.

It now operates under a Governing Council appointed by the President of the Republic of Ghana in accordance with Article 70 of the 1992 Constitution, and currently has five schools, including the School of Public Service and Governance, Business School, Law School, School of Technology and Social Sciences, and the School of Creative Arts Leadership and Enterprise.

He further paid tribute to all its past leaders for the leaders it has developed and instititions would be strengthened including Mr. S.B. Bapat (1961-1964), Mr. E. V. Mamphey (1965-1968),  Mr. E. A. Winful (1968-1972), Dr. James Nti (1972-1977), Rev. Dr. Nicholas T. Clerk (1977-1982),  Mr. R. K. O. Djang (1982-1986), followed by Dr. T. B. Wereko (1986-1999), Prof. Yaw Agyeman Badu (2008-2012), Prof. Franklyn A. Manu (2012-2016), Prof. Philip Ebow Bondzi-Simpson (2017-2021) and  Prof. Samuel Kwaku Bonsu (2021-present).

Purpose
Delivering a speech, Dr Kwaku Agyemang Budu, Chairman of the Planning Committee, paid tribute to the Asantehene for his presence and support.

He noted that the event was purposely to honour God, founders and leaders and students who have carroed institution name; celebrate impact of GIMPA alumni from across the globe; and recommit to the future.

“The Ghana and Africa of the last 65 years won’t be the same as the last 65 years… We must produce the kind of leaders our continent desperately needs.”

Reflection
Prof Stephen Adei, a former Rector, expressed gratitude to staff and Council members who worked with him while reflecting on his leadership and achievements.

“I’m proud I handed over a university which was solvent and is now the only university which is financially autonomous. It has come this far, and we thank God. This is not a resting place. Much remains to be done,” he added.

He also put forth a request to dent the image of the current leadership of the institution with an alleged forensic audit.

“I faced the same. We must be careful what we do to institutions. It must be stopped now because GIMPA is bigger than that.”

He also urged the Governing Council to review parts of the institution’s current statute.

Future
Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, the Rector, posited that the institution remains the core of government despite the expansion of its mandate.

“We have adapted as time has changed without shedding our core purpose.”

In the next 65 years in the history of GIMPA, he recommended deepening its position as a leading African leadership institution; cementing it as a stronger centre for research; embracing digital transformation as an institution; strengthening financial resilience; investing in staff and personnel; and working against politicisation, which is threatening the existence of GIMPA.

Honour
The institution honoured the Asantehene with the presentation of his portrait.

“Thank you for making time, blessing our cause, for being committed to the future GIMPA is building, for your kind words and assurance of continuous support for what we do and what we stand for. This is a small gesture for what you stand for.”

Story by Hajara Fuseini

Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/