Authorities of the Ghana Insurance College have cut sod to construct a permanent campus for the institution at Adamarobe in the Akwapim South Municipality, Friday.

Upon completion, it is expected to be a “home of excellence for the advancement of best practices and a cutting-edge professional Insurance training centre, serving Ghana and the West African sub-region.”

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, the Director of Ghana Insurance College, Richard Okyere, said the construction of the permanent campus is to help alleviate challenges the institution has been facing since its inception.

“Currently, the College occupies a few rooms within the NIC building, which is woefully inadequate for a reputable College such as ours,” he said.

The new campus which will be sited on Insurance Hills in Adamarobe was specifically situated there because of the serene environment in the area.

“The environment in this neighbourhood is not only blessed but serene and invigorating to host a world-class professional training centre. Of course, it is one thing learning, and another, learning under an atmosphere of serenity that enables a holistic human development and aptitude,” he said.

“What is also gratifying is that, after completing their Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas in Applied Insurance Studies at the GIC, our students automatically qualify to be admitted as Affiliates and Associates, respectively, at the Chartered Insurance Institute of Ghana (CIIG).

"In the case of the Advanced Diploma holders, they also qualify to be admitted as Principal Officers recognised by the NIC,” Richard Okyere added.

He called on all and sundry to work together to ensure that the institution becomes a world-class college “that will transcend the boundaries of Ghana and become the fulcrum for the practice and development of Insurance. 

"As leadership, we will continue to uphold the ethics of the profession and its practice with the development of distinctive models articulated by our seasoned resource persons.”

The Municipal CEO of the Akwapim South area, Frank Aidoo, who was also at the ceremony, paid glowing homage to the Insurance College.

He said, “The future of the Insurance College is bright. It will be the first educational set-up to churn out full insurance practitioners that will have a vision of salvaging the economy from its woes when it comes to knowledge acquisition in the area of insurance.”

He was also hopeful that the situation of the College in the Akwapim area would bring much-needed employment and opportunities for inhabitants of the area.

“I support this project because it will create employment for the teaming youth of the country. I support this project because it will uplift the image of this infant but great community.

"I support this initiative because it will contribute to the nation's per capita income and also elevate Ghana to international pedestal - the mention of the 'Insurance Hills' will bring all attention to no country but Ghana,” he said.

He called on the traditional leaders of the area to support the institution to uplift the community's image.