The Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, Ghana (CIHRM), the only legally mandated HR professional body established by law to regulate the practice of Human Resource Management and set HR standards in Ghana, has, for the first time since its establishment elected a female President, Florence Hutchful, and a female Vice President, Dorothy Asare, to lead CIHRM for the next three years.

The new Council members elected by the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, Ghana Act, 2020 (Act 1020) include Florence Hutchful - President; Dorothy Asare - Vice President; Kwabena Yeboah - Executive Member; Eric Sewonu Adadevoh - Executive Member; Dora Siaw-Lartey - Executive Member and Louise Agyemang-Barning - Executive Member. Other members are the Immediate- Past President of CIHRM, Dr. Edward Kwapong and the CEO of the Institute, Dr. Francis Eduku.

Each of the following Ministries and institutions will also nominate a representative to the Council: Ministry of Education, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, Ghana Employers’ Association and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

The election was announced by the Electoral Commission’s representative at the 3rd CIHRM Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Accra on Friday, 30th August, 2024.

At the AGM, 20 distinguished members of the Institute were elevated to Fellow Status after satisfying all requisite Professional Standing. The outstanding members are: Dr. Francis Eduku - CEO of CIHRM, Dr. Charles Amoah-Wilson, Samuel Kwamina Amu George, Christian Yao Asemsro, Bertrand-Russel Quaye, Dorothy Asare - Vice President of CIHRM, Susana Manu, Dr. Richard Kobina Kyereboah and Eugenia Effah-Adu.

Others include James Kofi Addo, Kojo Quansah, Nana Kwaku Koduah, Peter Yao Bosrotsi, Sarah Quayson Danquah and Senyo Melvin Kwame Atsu Adjabeng.

The rest are: Seth Dzordzorme, Theophilus Tetteh Ayettey, Yvonne Ama Adiepena Wiredu-Akpabli and Professor Felix Kwame Opoku. Professor Opoku is the person to join the institute via the academic route.

Presenting his report for the year under review, the Outgoing President of CIHRM, Ghana, Dr. Edward Kwapong, said the institute generated marginal income in 2022, representing a net increase of 7.4%.

However, it recorded a net deficit in 2023 and challenged the new CEO, Dr. Francis Eduku, to improve the fortunes of the Institute by adopting innovative strategies and strategic collaboration with other forward-looking institutions.

Speaking on the theme for the AGM, “AI and HRM: Balancing Technology and Emotions,” the Guest Speaker, Anthony Boateng, Board Chair of Npontu Technologies, encouraged all HR Practitioners to embrace AI and its incredible potential to enhance HR effectiveness.

He explained that solutions like KADEBAH and SNWOLLEY are leading the way in driving organisational efficiencies and HR process improvements but the real magic happens when they are combined with human elements that only HR professionals can provide, emphasisng the success of balancing technology with emotions.  

Mr. Boateng also stressed that HR professionals play an instrumental role in shaping organisational culture and effectiveness through AI and other emerging technologies.

The CEO of the Institute, Dr. Francis Eduku acknowledged the outgoing council members for serving the institute to the best of their abilities.

He also thanked the members of the Professional Certification Board and Executives of other committees for keeping the institute functioning.