Two Prominent Ghanaians, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan and Mr Ben Konyoh Mensah, have been honoured for distinguished public service to the nation by the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) on Friday. Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. This was for his sterling performance as Electoral Commissioner from 1993 till date, and for global service to the preservation of the integrity of the electoral process. The fairness, consistency and resolve he displayed in the course of service allowed him to serve under different governments of Ghana and in shepherding Ghana through five elections with unquestionable results. Under his leadership, Ghana has emerged as a beacon to which all African countries and emerging democracies should aspire. With Ghana's successes in elections, Ghanaians have come to appreciate the power of the ballot box and their own role in the electoral process. Mr Afari-Gyan was a positive role model to many Ghanaians and many others on the African continent for which the doctorate degree was conferred upon him. Mr Ben Konyoh Mensah was also honoured with a degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. The degree was conferred on him for his notable professional career and outstanding civic contributions to GIMPA, and especially now, in its fifty years of existence. He served with distinction as the President of the GIMPA Court of Governors from 1991-2004, and has time and again consistently answered GIMPA's call for support. Mr Mensah is said to have lived a professional and personal life full of contribution to humanity and service to mankind while maintaining a reputation that is beyond reproach. The Rector of the Institute, Prof. Yaw Agyemang Badu, in an address, said that the national development agenda required capable human resources to translate optimism to prosperity or to turn a hopeless situation into a promising one, adding that the knowledge of personnel in the public service is at the heart of the performance of states because it is through them and by them that services are planned, delivered and needed reforms carried out. He said that the public service and leadership role remain vital input factors in searching for a better future for the country. This, according to him is because “Public services are essential for economic growth and nation building and Ghana is no exception.” The Principal of Methodist University College, Rev Prof. S. K. Adverting, said the facilities and infrastructure for tertiary education were inadequate to cater for the increase in the population seeking higher education. He expressed disgust for corruption in educational institutions by some personnel, saying that they take advantage of desperate persons seeking admission and extort money from them. He explained that “one minute, they confirm that admissions are closed and the next, they agree to fix an individual if such desperate ones pay extra fees. Does it mean that in a matter of 24 hours, these senior officials put up structures to cater for the extra students?” he retorted. He advised personnel involved in such corrupt practices to desist from them since they over-stretched the facilities of institutions and put financial burdens on victims.