By Raymond Rex Awiagah

Background

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has urged  graduates to leverage global partnerships and collaborative efforts to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. 

Speaking at the 2nd batch of the 2024 GIMPA Congregation ceremony in Accra, Mrs.Botchwey underscored the importance of tertiary education in navigating the complexities of globalization, technological advancements, and societal challenges.

What Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said

She said  “partnerships between institutions of higher learning, industry, government, and international bodies create synergies that maximize impact, ensuring that tertiary education remains relevant and responsive to the needs of society.” 

Point of view by Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey

In her view, the Foreign Affairs Minister stressed that strong partnerships lead to curriculum enhancements, funding for research, internship opportunities, and knowledge-sharing platforms that prepare students to be solution-driven leaders.  “These alliances also facilitate student and faculty exchanges, creating avenues for cultural integration and global exposure.

Theme for the 2024 GIMPA Congregation

The theme for the 2024 GIMPA congregation is “strengthening partnerships for impact in tertiary education”,

Touching on the theme, Hon. Shirley underscored the rapidly evolving nature of knowledge. “While tertiary education has evolved significantly, transitioning from traditional academic silos to being a dynamic, globally connected system that thrives on partnerships, greater collaboration has become essential for fostering innovation, enhancing research, and addressing critical developmental needs in an era of rapid globalization, technological advancements and Artificial Intelligence, as well as complex societal challenges,” She said. 

Tertiary education is central

Hon. Minister said “the world we live in is subject to fast changes and is in constant flux. This has implications for the way we live in society, the way we work and for our well-being as well as the well-being of our planet. Knowledge, fast evolving knowledge, is key to keeping up or staying ahead of our fast changing world. Tertiary education is central to the organization and application of knowledge to the challenges that confront us, and the opportunities that we must grasp”.

Commending GIMPA

Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey commended the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) for being a pivotal force in building the capacity of individuals and institutions, particularly within the public and civil service.  

The Institute has equipped public servants with the necessary tools to discharge their duties effectively and efficiently, thereby strengthening institutions and enhancing service delivery across the country.

This is particularly evident in its specialized training programs for various arms of government, including the executive, legislature, judiciary, and public sector agencies.”

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey congratulates the graduating class

In congratulating the graduating class of 2024 for their perseverance and hard work, the Foreign Affairs Minister encouraged the graduating class of 2024  to take on leadership roles and make a positive impact, both locally and globally, as they embark on their professional journeys.

Conclusion

Meanwhile over Four hundred graduates from various disciplines and specializations including Accounting and Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain Management among others and were awarded , degrees, and master’s  and PhD programs.