The Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, Ghana (CIHRM) and the University of Ghana, Legon, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to champion excellence in human resource management and development in Ghana.

The colourful ceremony took place at the ISSER Conference Centre, the University of Ghana, Legon in Accra, on Thursday, October 17, 2024.

Under the theme, “Promoting Human Resource Management Excellence through Collaboration,” the MoU is a pledge between the two major partners to pool resources and work together to advance the people management profession in Ghana.

Speaking at the launch, the President-Elect of CIHRM Ghana, Florence Hutchful this strategic collaboration between the Institute and the premier University was a model of the partnership that would bridge the gap between industry and academia. She added that the partnership, initiated by the Institute and formalized through the signing of the MOU, was both timely and essential for the success of students aspiring to build careers in the Human Resource profession.

The CIHRM President-Elect explained that, under the MoU agreement, the CIHRM would provide accreditation guidelines and industry standards for the University's human resource management (HRM) programmes from undergraduate to doctoral levels; provide expertise and training to further the Department of Organisaiton and Human Resource Management’s goal of promoting industry-academia linkages; and facilitate opportunities for students to engage with seasoned HR professionals in the country.

She said the collaboration would also promote and recognise the Department of Organization and HRM’s contributions to the Institute’s visibility and growth and provide support to the Department’s faculty members, staff and students to gain HR practitioner-based knowledge and experiences.

Mrs. Hutchful also announced that the Institute would provide scholarships on its Professional Certification Programmes to the top female and male students graduating in HRM from the University of Ghana Business School every year, starting the 2024-2025 academic year.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CIHRM, Dr. Francis Eduku, also added that to pursue their mission of advancing effective human resource management practices in Ghana, the Institute would explore with the University of Ghana the possibility of establishing a Human Resource Chair to conduct cutting-edge research in human resource management and related fields to inform policy decisions.

Dr. Eduku also emphasised the importance of a shared vision, adding that excellence in human resource management in Ghana could not be pursued through a silo-mentality but rather, it would require concerted from all stakeholders: government agencies, private organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other strategic players in Ghana.

Professor of Hydrogeology and Provost, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Prof. Sandow Mark Yidana, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of Prof. Gordon Awandare, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Ghana, said the MoU between CIHRM and the University of Ghana marks a significant milestone in the journey towards achieving the strategic objectives of the University.

He explained that the collaboration between the partners was not just a formal agreement, but a shared commitment to advance knowledge, skills and practices that were vital in an ever-evolving landscape.

“By joining forces, we are creating a powerful synergy that will enhance educational programs, improve industry standards, support faculty, the University and ultimately benefit our students and professionals alike and Ghana, as a whole”, the Pro-VC stated.

He explained that the MoU between these two major partners addressed all the five strategic priorities of the University's strategic plan, which are transformative student experience through impactful internship, impactful research, commitment to the faculty and staff, engagement and partnerships, and finally, sustainable resource mobilization and stewardship.

The ceremony was chaired by Prof. Joseph Awetori Yaro, Provost, College of Humanities of the University of Ghana and attended by Prof. Justice N. Bawole, Dean of UGBS; the Head Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, Prof. Obi Berko Damoah and other faculty members of the University of Ghana Business School.

Both new and old CIHRM council members at the ceremony were the Vice-President Elect of CIHRM, Dorothy Asare, Dora Siaw Lartey; Louis Agyeman-Barning, Dr. Kwame Apedzi (Esq), Nana Kwabena Yeboah, Abdul-Razak Umar and Ellen Hagan.