The Chief of Staff, Dr. Julius Debrah, has called on the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and its partners to harness research, innovation, and technology to advance digital transformation and strengthen governance across West Africa.
He made the call during the launch of the Centre for West African Studies for Digital Public Governance as part of activities marking GIMPA’s 65th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service held in Accra.
Addressing participants, Dr. Debrah emphasized that West Africa must position itself as an active contributor to the global digital revolution rather than a passive observer. He noted that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, digital financial systems, and e-governance were reshaping economies and public service delivery worldwide.
“West Africa must not be a passive bystander of this transformation. We must leverage innovation and knowledge to build resilient institutions and improve governance outcomes for our citizens,” he stated.
The Chief of Staff described the newly inaugurated Centre as a strategic platform for generating research and policy-relevant knowledge that will support governments and institutions across the sub-region. He urged the Centre to ensure that its research findings influence public policy, parliamentary deliberations, and national development planning.
The Centre was established through a partnership between GIMPA and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), combining GIMPA’s expertise in governance and public administration with UESTC’s strengths in science and technology.
As part of the event, GIMPA and UESTC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Digital Public Governance Hub at GIMPA. The Hub is expected to become the largest of its kind in West Africa and serve as a leading platform for research, innovation, and data-driven governance.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Rector of GIMPA, Prof. Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, highlighted the importance of data in effective decision-making and public sector development.
He explained that the Digital Public Governance Hub will facilitate the collection, analysis, and utilization of governance data across Africa, supporting evidence-based policymaking and improving development outcomes.
“We want to create a platform that helps governments and institutions make informed decisions through the effective use of data,” Prof. Bonsu said.
He revealed that implementation of the project will commence in the coming months, with plans to make the Hub fully operational within a year.
As GIMPA celebrates 65 years of excellence, the Institute continues to strengthen its role as a leading centre for higher education, public sector capacity building, and thought leadership in Ghana and beyond.
