Accra, Dec 14, GNA - Thirty-six graduands, including 26 from four neighbouring African countries on Friday graduated with Masters' Degree in the Public Sector Management Training Programme (PSMTP), at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). The graduands, 10 from Ghana, nine from Nigeria, six each from Liberia and the Gambia, and five from Sierra Leone, were presented with their degrees during the third PSMTP graduation ceremony in Accra, after the one year programme.

Professor Stephen Adei, out-going Rector of GIMPA, said the Institute had come a long way but advised the students and staff not to be complacent, adding, "we are not yet where we ought to be, and we cannot afford to be complacent."

He said, in life, true success could be found in having an excellent mentality, faith in God, consistent high performance with diligence, caring for and loving others, believing in one's own country, and above all, mustering the courage to effect positive change. Prof. Adei pledged that as he was retiring from Monday, December 15, 2008, he would endeavour to contribute to the training programmes in leadership at both the national and international levels. Mr Tawia Akyea, Secretary of the GIMPA Council, commended the graduands for their commitment, hard work and determination towards the programme, and expressed the hope that they would be worthy ambassadors of the Institute.

In a valedictory report, Mr Matthew Sagbetu Snowea, a representative of the graduands from Liberia, lauded members of the GIMPA Council and Management for their assistance and co-operation to ensure the successful completion of the programme. 14 Dec. 08