On a bright and promising day, a new chapter in the journey of project management education and professional development was inaugurated at the GB auditorium of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

The birth of the PMI Ghana Chapter Students Club at GIMPA stands as a shining testament to the power of collaboration and the shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of project management professionals.

This momentous occasion is one of the most significant outcomes of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between PMI Ghana Chapter and GIMPA on August 1, 2023. With a membership of 146 students, the club opens doors to a myriad of opportunities for aspiring project managers, offering a wide array of benefits aimed at enriching their academic and professional journey.

Among the benefits accruing to students are access to student membership of both Project Management Institute (PMI) Inc. and PMI Ghana, volunteering opportunities for leadership roles within the club and beyond, networking opportunities with over 1,500 members of PMI Ghana Chapter and the vast global network of over 700,000 PMI members, mentorship from seasoned project managers and industry leaders, discounted products from PMI including certification exam fees, books, and conference rates, access to free digital copies of PMBOK 7th edition and insightful white papers, research findings from globally respected organisations, industrial tour opportunities, and publication of names and certifications of all members in good standing in the Daily Graphic, among others.

Frank Owusu-Asamoah, President of PMI Ghana Chapter, emphasised the importance of guiding students towards informed career choices in project management, particularly in light of the projected talent gap highlighted in the PMI 2021 talent gap survey.

With the global economy requiring 25 million project professionals by 2030, the collaboration between PMI Ghana Chapter and GIMPA serves as a timely response to this wake-up call.

Professor Ebenezer Adaku, Acting Dean of the GIMPA Business School, reiterated the significance of the club in bridging the gap between academia and industry, emphasizing the importance of upholding the tenets of the collaboration.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by esteemed faculty members of the GIMPA Business School, board members, and volunteers from PMI Ghana Chapter, including Frank Owusu-Asamoah, Jumoke Lafenwa, Frank Attoh-Owoo, Jalilu Issahaku, Manuella Asianoa, Dorcas Ofori Sakyi, Joseph Puplampu, Olagoke Jonathan Oladele, and over 150 students, including members of the PMI Ghana Chapter Students Club at GIMPA.

The newly appointed leaders of the club, including President Francisca Seshimey, Secretary Lady Diana Odumase, Treasurer Edward Sutherland, Operations Manager Mawiah Kadri, and Membership Coordinator Julius Tiovo, were introduced, heralding a new era of leadership and collaboration.

In her response, President Francisca Seshimey expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence reposed in her and her colleagues, pledging to work tirelessly towards achieving the set goals and calling for the support of all stakeholders in their journey ahead.

"As we witness the inauguration of the PMI Ghana Chapter Students Club at GIMPA, we are reminded of the power of partnership, mentorship, and collective action in shaping the future of project management in Ghana. Together, let us empower future leaders, ignite passion for excellence, and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow", she concluded.