Accra, Sept. 24, GNA- Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), at the weekend organised its maiden graduation ceremony for graduates of the Executive Master's degree programme, after completing a five-year strategic transformation into a public university.

Act 676, enacted by Parliament in 2004, has given both academic and financial autonomy to the Institute, established 44 years ago, with a civil service training mandate.

The 176 graduates including Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, Member of the Council of State and former President of the Ghana Journalists Association, walked to the dais with smiles amidst cheers from friends and relatives and were decorated with the Institute's red and green academic apron and received their certificates from the Rector, Professor Stephen Adei.

GIMPA has within the past six years developed three unique graduate schools, which comprise GIMPA Business School, GIMPA School of Governance, Leadership and Public Management and GIMPA School of Technology.

Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama who was the Guest of Honour said the real significance of the success story of GIMPA, lied within the context of public services and institutions, which have experienced a steep decline.

"GIMPA seems to have taken responsibility not only for planning but also for new initiatives, perseverance in implementation and enforcement of its principles."

"The joke is told of our neighbours in the sub-region waiting for us to plan so that they can implement," he said attracting laughter from the audience, comprising Ministers of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, chiefs and the academic staff of the Institute and other universities.

Alhaji Mahama said the core principles of good governance were not restricted to the political leadership. He stressed: "The call to responsiveness, participation, transparence, accountability, equity and non- discrimination covers all persons in leadership in the public sector, private sector, civil society, traditional authority and even at the local community level".

Mrs Angelina Baiden Amissah, a Deputy Minister of Education and Sports asked GIMPA to provide policy direction to the civil service to facilitate efforts to revamp the service.

Prof. Adei who defied the soaky rainy weather to deliver his address announced that the African Capacity Building Foundation would sign an agreement with GIMPA to provide a three million -dollar grant to enable the Institute to train public servants in Anglophone West Africa.

During the 2005/2006 academic year the Institute would introduce policy analysis and studies and strengthen consultancy services in the public sector.

The Institute will also start special undergraduate programmes in Law and Management, Journalism and Media Management, Procurement and Logistics, Project and Contract Management and Computer Science and Engineering.

Commenting on some of the challenges facing the Institute, Prof. Adei said the academic facility was excluded from meetings and programmes of the National Council for Tertiary Education and donor support.

He said GIMPA did not receive support from the Ghana Education Trust fund, compelling the Institute to depend on commercial loans for infrastructural development. 24 Sept. 05