Young leaders urged to transform public sector

The Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Professor Samuel Bonsu, has urged young leaders in public institutions to transform the public sector.

For that to happen, he said these leaders must be transparent in all their dealings and prioritize national interest over the individual interests.

Prof Bonsu gave this advice at the graduation ceremony of the second cohort of the Emerging Public Leaders Ghana Public Service Fellows.

Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) Ghana, a public service leadership organization preparing the next generation of competent and effective public sector leaders in Africa.

Launched in 2018, EPL Ghana undertakes a two year fellowship programme that equips young leaders with leadership skills to effect changes in the public sector and beyond.

“I hope that your participation in the EPL programme has equipped you with the skills to make significant impact in the country. You have gained tremendous experience and it is a privilege that you have done this program.

“We expect you to be transparent and be role models in your organisations. People should be looking up to you and you have to stick to the course. Take advantage of the opportunities opened for you and help others,” Prof Bonsu advised.

Graduation ceremony

The graduation which was held at the Head Office of Ecobank Bank Ghana, saw 16 Fellows who drafted reports for the United Nations, led digitization projects and worked on budgets presented to Parliament graduate.

Speaking at the event, the Global Executive Director of EPL, Ms Yawa Hansen Quao, said civil servants were at the center of an effective government that delivers for the people.

“Today, I am incredibly proud to see 16 capable young civil servants complete our fellowship program.

“As we continue to expand our mission across Africa, these young leaders exemplify our model and the possibility of transforming the civil service in the region. EPL fellows’ work will change our country, our continent, and our world,” she stated.

Building capacity

The Chief Director of the Office of the Head of Civil Service (OHCS), Mr Godwin Brocke , said EPL programme had been able to deliver civil service staff who are committed and have proven to have the capacity required in the Service.

He said some of the fellows had assisted their various institutions to deliver effectively and efficiently.

Since its first cohort began in 2018, he said the programme had grown to include young Ghanaians from all 16 regions.

Fellows and alumni of the programme have been placed in 21 government agencies across Ghana’s Central Government including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and the Office of the Vice President.

The graduating Cohort 2 Fellows are expected to join the Emerging Public Leaders Alumni Network (EPLAN), a growing network of ethical public servants committed to excellence who act as catalysts to drive systemic change in Africa’s public sector.