Gambiaj.com – (ACCRA, Ghana) – Baboucarr Bouy, the Minister of Public Service, Administrative Reforms, Policy Coordination, and Delivery of the Republic of the Gambia, has called on graduates of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) to become agents of positive change in their respective fields. Minister Bouy made this appeal during the 24th congregation of the Institute for graduate and undergraduate programmes held on Friday.

Addressing the graduates, Minister Bouy encouraged them to leverage the knowledge they have acquired to generate innovative solutions to societal problems. The ceremony saw 573 students earning degrees, 432 receiving master’s degrees, and five achieving PhDs, under the theme “Strengthening Partnership for Impact.”

In his speech, Minister Bouy urged the graduates to face challenges with confidence, stating, “The knowledge you acquired will serve as a solid foundation to build your careers.” He also emphasized the importance of harnessing the power of networks and collaboration to enhance their impact and contribute meaningfully to society.

Commending the graduates for their dedication and perseverance, Minister Bouy remarked that the ceremony was a testament to their hard work and commitment to charting successful career paths. He highlighted the strong relationship between Ghana and Gambia, which is grounded in shared values and mutual respect, particularly in the areas of education, health, and governance.

Minister Bouy praised Ghana for its exemplary status as a beacon of hope and inspiration for other nations. He noted that GIMPA has distinguished itself in the training of public servants across the continent, having trained over 250 Gambian staff in public service, thereby contributing significantly to the development of various sectors of the Gambian economy.

He called for greater investment in human capital through quality education to enhance human resource development across Africa.

Professor Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, Rector of GIMPA, reinforced the theme of the ceremony, emphasizing the Institute’s commitment to strengthening past and existing relationships while building new ones for sustained growth. He announced that ten students from the Institute would participate in an international exchange programme to broaden their knowledge and explore new opportunities.

Professor Bonsu assured that GIMPA would continue to leverage its partnerships to ensure that its curriculum remains relevant and competitive both locally and internationally. He urged the graduates to act as ambassadors of GIMPA, upholding ethics and values in their professional disciplines.

The ceremony also recognized outstanding students, with Mr. Ebenezer Asante receiving the award for the overall best graduate student with a Master of Business Administration, Finance Option, and Mr. Murphy Kwame Frimpong being named the overall best undergraduate student with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the School of Technology.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Asante expressed gratitude to GIMPA for fostering an environment that promotes academic excellence and pledged to use his skills for the benefit of society.

Minister Bouy’s message of encouragement and the celebration of the graduates’ achievements underscored the importance of education and collaboration in driving positive change and development across the African continent.