By Joyce Boahemaa Fosu
The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) welcomed participants from Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Ghana to the GIMPA Executive Conference Centre (GECC), Greenhill, for the commencement of the 3rd session of the Essentials of Environmental and Social Risk Management Course. This six-day certificate programme, organised by the GIMPA Training and Consulting (GTC) in collaboration with the Regional Transport Research and Education Centre Kumasi (TRECK) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, is supported by the World Bank Group.
Global Collaboration for Environmental Stewardship
The course aims to contribute significantly to managing environmental and social risks arising from project implementation across the continent. With participants hailing from different African nations, this initiative strives to enhance awareness and acceptance of environmental and social standards, especially by governments in the sub-region.
Welcoming Remarks
Prof. Charles Amoatey, the Director of GTC, extended a warm welcome to the diverse group of participants and expressed gratitude for the continual support from the World Bank Group. He highlighted the prevalent challenge of insufficient capacity within various government institutions to effectively implement environmental and social risk management, emphasising the need for comprehensive training.
Empowering Project Implementers
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Helen Michelle Korkor Essandoh, the Director of TRECK, stressed the critical role of managing environmental risks in project development and implementation. The course was strategically designed to equip project implementers with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of environmental and social considerations.
World Bank’s Commitment
Ms. Michelle Keane, the Operations Manager for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone at the World Bank Group, underscored the centrality of people in development. She highlighted the World Bank’s mission to positively contribute to poverty reduction, economic development, and environmental protection. The assurance of the World Bank’s commitment to ensuring the positive impact of development projects on people and the environment resonated strongly with the course’s objectives.
Building Capacity for Sustainable Development
As GIMPA serves as the nexus for this essential training, the collaboration between GTC, TRECK, and the World Bank Group exemplifies the commitment to building the capacity of project implementers across Africa. This programme aligns with GIMPA’s dedication to fostering knowledge and skills that contribute to sustainable development on the continent.
DIRECTORATE OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS & INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
