The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) has launched its 65th anniversary celebrations with strong calls for digital transformation and a renewed commitment to training public sector leaders.

The event, held on Thursday, March 26, at the GIMPA Auditorium in Accra, brought together government officials, management, staff, students and alumni under the theme, “A legacy of excellence, a future in digital transformation.”

Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Staff, Presidential Advisor on the Economy, Seth Terkper, said GIMPA has played a key role in shaping governance in Ghana since its establishment in 1961.

“It’s a pleasure to celebrate with the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration as we launch the 65th anniversary celebrations,” he said.

Mr Terkper said that the institute, which was set up to train public servants after independence, has grown into “a beacon of multi-disciplinary excellence in business, governance, technology, and public administration.”

He highlighted GIMPA’s impact on leadership in the country, stating that “over six decades, GIMPA has quietly forged Ghana’s government backbone, with nearly 100 current Members of Parliament going through the institution.”

He added that the institute has extended its influence beyond Ghana, training public officials in countries such as Liberia and Nigeria.

“GIMPA is indeed a centre of excellence for leaders,” he said.

Touching on current challenges, Mr Terkper pointed to funding pressures within the education sector and concerns about access to higher education. However, he said the government was taking steps to address these issues.

“The 2026 budget allocated 33.3 billion to education, funding free programmes, infrastructure and teacher housing,” he stated.

He also said the need for institutions like GIMPA to align with the government’s digital agenda.

“By partnering with these reforms, GIMPA will be helping to pioneer digital transformation and ensuring that graduates are equipped for a tech-led economy,” he said.

Mr Terkper commended the institute for adopting paperless systems and urged closer collaboration with the public service.

“I suggest that you collaborate more deeply with the public service because the public service has its challenges,” he added.

The Guest of Honour, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, described GIMPA as a key national institution that has shaped public administration over the years.

“This occasion is not merely a celebration of longevity, but a reflection of a national institution that has played a pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s public administration and leadership landscape,” he said.

He noted that the anniversary theme was timely, given the changing demands of governance in a digital age.

Mr Ibrahim traced the institute’s roots to the vision of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who recognised the need for a skilled and professional public service.

“Ghana required well-trained, professional and principled public servants capable of transforming national aspirations into effective governance,” he said.

According to him, GIMPA has, over the years, contributed significantly to building the country’s governance structures and producing top public officials.

The Minister, who is also an alumnus, said his time at the institute had a lasting impact on his career.

“In 2019, I successfully completed a Master of Business Administration in Finance from this institution,” he said, adding that the experience strengthened his approach to leadership and decision-making.

Despite its achievements, Mr Ibrahim urged GIMPA to remain focused on its original mandate.

“GIMPA was not established merely as another tertiary institution competing in the conventional academic marketplace,” he said.

“It was founded as a specialised national institute dedicated primarily to building leadership capacity within the public service.”

He called for a renewed emphasis on training public sector leaders and strengthening administrative excellence.

“GIMPA must remain, first and foremost, Ghana’s premier training ground for public sector leadership and administrative excellence,” he said.

Mr Ibrahim also encouraged stronger collaboration between the institute and government agencies, as well as the use of research to inform policy decisions.

“Research produced here should inform national policy, improve public sector efficiency, and strengthen democratic governance,” he said.

He added that Ghana’s development depends largely on the quality of leadership within its institutions.

“Without competent and ethical leadership, these efforts will not yield the results that we seek,” he said.

"May this anniversary not only celebrate the past, but also ignite a renewed commitment to shaping the future of leadership and governance in Ghana. And I'm proud to tell you the whole of Africa is waiting for us," he added.

The 65th anniversary celebrations will run throughout the year, with a series of activities aimed at highlighting GIMPA’s impact and shaping its future direction.