The role of administrative professionals in Africa received significant attention last week with the official launch of the African Institute of Personal and Executive Assistants (AIPEA), a landmark initiative unveiled during the 2025 PA Conference.

Held on July 17 and 18 at the Labadi Beach Hotel, the fifth edition of the conference was its most ambitious yet, attracting over 200 delegates from across Ghana under the theme “Growth for Cross-Border Relevance.”

For the first time, the annual gathering extended to a two-day format, allowing for deeper engagements, specialised workshops, and more regional collaboration.

The historic launch of AIPEA took place on the first day of the conference, following a keynote address by Professor Robert Ebo Hinson, Visiting Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg and a newly appointed member of the AIPEA Governing Council.

Professor Hinson officially declared the institute open, describing it as a “long-overdue institutional backbone for a profession central to organisational success.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Maame Ekua Gaisey, Managing Partner of FiveSixFive Ltd, emphasised the institute’s commitment to empowering administrative professionals across Africa: “We are going to support them through a series of targeted interventions, including seminars, workshops, and, of course, our flagship annual conference.

"Our goal is to elevate their status to that of strategic executive partners, not just task managers within their organisations.”

She added that AIPEA would operate an open membership system to accommodate assistants at all levels and stages in their careers.

Day one featured a strong lineup of expert speakers. Professor Hinson set the tone with his presentation, “Building a Corporate Image from the Unseen Seat,” emphasising the strategic value of visibility and influence.

Bunmi Pratt, a renowned HR expert, delivered a session on “Managing the Multi-Dimensional Needs of an International Executive,” highlighting the diverse competencies required of today’s assistants.

Consultant Kojo Amissah followed with “Positioning the PA/EA for Global Appeal,” while transformative leader Papa Arkhurst addressed “Public Speaking: A Relevant Cross-Border Skill for Success.”

The second day continued with sessions on career development and personal well-being. Nixon Amoah-Awuah, Head of HR at Ecobank Ghana PLC, presented “The Career Path of Personal and Executive Assistants,” encouraging long-term professional growth.

Clinical psychologist Dr. May Cullen Wulff-Caesar explored “Mental Health and Resilience for the Administrative Professional.”

The day also featured a forward-looking panel on the future of the profession, and a practical tech workshop led by Jacques Yannick Amatcha on “Harnessing AI tools for administrative efficiency.”

Participants left energised and inspired. Executive Assistant Agatha Linda Abbey said, “This event completely redefined how I view my role. The speakers didn’t just motivate, they equipped us.

"I now see myself as a value creator, not just a support function. Thank you for AIPEA, now the PAs also have a professional body to call our own.”

Pilate Dapaah, an assistant in banking, shared: “The session on cross-border skills opened my eyes to international opportunities. I will now be actively looking into virtual assistant opportunities across Africa.”

Senior Administrative Officer Nancy Boye added: “The tech workshop was a game changer. I can’t wait to start applying some of the AI tools we learned about and see how it will transform how I manage time and communication.”

Building on the success of this year’s edition, Maame Gaisey confirmed plans to expand the conference’s reach across the continent.

“We’re excited to welcome our neighbours, either virtually or in person. The AIPEA is not just for Ghana; it’s a continental hub for elevating the profession of executive, strategic, and personal assistants.”