About the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana

The Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana (CIMG) was founded in July 1981 with the vision to be the voice of marketing practice in Ghana under the Professional Bodies Registration Act 1973 (NRCD143).

The institute aims at seeing both private and public organisations embrace the marketing concept and be marketing-oriented in their operations.

In 2020, the CIMG received a Presidential Charter by the passage of the CIMG Act 2020 (Act 1021) with the main objects to set standards for the practice of marketing and to regulate the practice of the marketing profession in the country.

Marketing is fundamental to the success of any business and the CIMG plays a major role in promoting the marketing profession, encouraging organisations to strive towards maintaining international standards in marketing practice.

In exercising this function, the institute seeks to:

• provide world-class training and conduct examinations to develop the skills and competencies of members and the general public;

• champion the role and value of marketing as critical tool for business development;

• Influence government policy and regulation on marketing and business;

• Advocate responsible and ethical marketing practice for marketing and businesses;

• Promote the conduct innovative marketing research, best practice and thought leadership in the marketing profession; and

• Promote marketing as a leading career path and employment choice for future generations.

Membership

There are seven categories of membership.

These are:

Fellow - (1) A person with at least one of the following qualifications is qualified to be enrolled as a Fellow Member:

I. A fellow of a recognised marketing professional body approved by the institute

II. A full member with at least 15 years contribution to marketing practice or education, and who has a highly proven record of expertise, experience and success within a senior management position in Ghana or elsewhere;

III. A full member who has served on the council for more than six years; or

IV. A past president of the institute

(2) The decision for conferring the status of a fellow is vested in the council.

(3) A person who qualifies under subsection (1) and is conferred with the status of fellow by the council may use the title "FCIMG"

Full Member - (1) A person with at least one of the following qualifications is qualified to be enrolled as a Full Member:

I. A full member of a recognised marketing professional body approved by the institute; or

II. A degree in a marketing related subject, with a minimum of 10 years practical experience within a recognised area of marketing practice or marketing education and holds an appointment equivalent to a Marketing Director

(2) A person who qualifies under subsection (1) and is conferred with the status of full member by the council may use the title "MCIMG".

Associate Member - (1) A person with any one of the following qualifications is qualified to be enrolled as an Associate Member:

I. An associate member of a recognised marketing professional associate member of any other recognised marketing professional body approved by the institute;

II. A degree in a marketing related subject with a minimum of three years' experience in a recognised area of marketing;

III. A certificate of participation in Chartered Institute of Marketing Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing; or

IV. A degree in a non-marketing related subject, with a minimum of ten years practical experience within a recognised area of marketing practice or marketing education and holds an appointment equivalent to a Marketing Director.

(2) A person who qualifies under subsection (1) and is conferred with the status of Associate Member by the Council may use the title "ACIMG"

Qualification for enrolment as an Emerging Associate Member

I. A person with a degree in an academic discipline other than a marketing related subject and at least five years' experience in a recognised area of marketing is qualified to be enrolled as an Emerging Associate Member.

II. A person who qualifies under subsection (1) and is conferred with the status of Emerging Associate Member by the Council may use the title “eACIMG”

Qualification for enrolment as a Graduate Member

(1) A person with any one of the following qualifications is qualified to be enrolled as a Graduate Member:

I. a university degree in a business-related subject with marketing specialisation; or

II. a Higher National Diploma Marketing with no practical experience.

(2) A person who qualifies under subsection (1) and is conferred with the status of graduate member by the council may use the title "GCIMG"

Qualification for enrolment as a Student Member

A person in a recognised marketing professional institution or any other tertiary institution pursuing a marketing qualification is qualified to be enrolled as a Student Member.

Qualification for enrolment as an Honorary Member

(1) An Honorary Member shall be conferred on a non-member of the institute

Student Membership:

I. who has more than fifteen years' experience in marketing and is in a senior management position; or

II. who has won the award for the Marketing Man or Marketing Woman of the Year.

(2) A person who qualifies under subsection (1) and is conferred with the status of Honorary Member by the Council may use the title”HCIMG"

Qualification for enrolment as a Corporate Member

A body corporate is qualified to be enrolled as a Corporate Member if that body corporate is a marketing-oriented institution recognised by the institute.

Restriction on the use of the title "Chartered Marketer"

A person who is not a Full Member or a Fellow of the institute with a minimum of two years continuous professional development in the relevant areas of marketing practice approved by the council shall not accept or use the title "Chartered Marketer".

Currently, the institute has a total membership of over 600 active members with majority of fellows and members holding very high academic and professional qualifications ranging from first degrees to doctorates.

Many members also have long-standing experience in marketing practice and have the capacity to undertake any marketing duty.

Membership grades

Membership grades are conferred according to academic/professional qualifications, job function, level of seniority and practical experience

Governing Bodies

The governing bodies that help in running the Institute are.

1. The Board of Patrons (Honorary)

2. Governing Council

The institute has a secretariat manned by a chief executive officer (CEO) who administers the day-to-day affairs of the institute under the direction of the Governing Council.

Achievements
Since its inception, the institute has been able to carve a positive image through effective contribution towards the creation of marketing awareness and the training of students and businessmen in marketing concepts and practices

Activities
The main activities of the institute have been consultancy, training and advocacy.

CIMG consult activities

The institute has a subsidiary called CIMG Consult.

The objective of the CIMG consult is to ensure that businesses overcome obstacles or identify new opportunities and grow.

Among the services offered by the CIMG Consult are:

a) Organising seminars and workshops to educate the general public on issues of marketing practice.

b) Holding conferences on important national economic issues and to discuss and suggest measures for solving those problems.

c) Carrying out marketing research activities for individuals, charities, government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and institutions.

d) Holding in-house training courses for staff and management of institutions.

e) Serving as members on interview panels to select suitable candidates for organisations and institutions, particularly those needing marketing personnel.

f) Drawing up business and marketing plans for industries and individuals who require such services.

All members of the consultancy services group are highly qualified, experienced and motivated individuals whose total efforts offer the best results expected by purposeful organisations or institutions.

CIMG placement services

The CIMG placement services provide a professional, confidential and personalised recruitment services to organisations and institutions.

This specialist placement services also assists CIMG corporate members to find suitable staff in all areas of marketing, advertising and sales.

The CIMG placement services also source expert marketing management skills for companies on contract projects or outsource basis.