By Eric Appah Marfo
Accra, April 15, GNA — Professor Elijah Yendaw, the newly appointed Director-General of the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI), has unveiled his vision of transforming the Institute into Ghana’s leading centre for productivity research, consultancy and human capital development.
Speaking during an interactive session with staff on Tuesday in Accra, Prof. Yendaw emphasised his commitment to transparency, collaboration and institutional excellence.
The meeting, dubbed: “Introductory Session with the New Director-General,” created an opportunity for the staff to interact with the new leadership and discuss future initiatives.
The Institute exists to promote increased productivity, in both public and private organisations, to contribute to the sustainable growth of the economy.
He pledged to ensure his leadership was guided by the founding mandate of the MDPI, anchored in delivering value to both public and private sector clients.
“I am here to work with you. I wasn’t appointed because I’m the most brilliant person at MDPI but to support all of us to grow together,” Prof Yendaw said.
“Transparency will be my watchword, and gossip, politics, and sabotage will have no place in this environment.”
He promised to create an inclusive and empowering work environment, noting the importance of teamwork and mutual respect.
Prof. Yendaw highlighted the need to reassess staff skills, regularise acting appointments and replace retired personnel to improve operational efficiency.
He observed that productivity research – one of MDPI’s core mandates – had been sidelined in recent years and said he would restore it as a central function of the Institute, enabling the commercialisation of data, evidence-based decision-making, and meaningful policy contributions.
The Director-General announced plans to revamp the Institute’s physical infrastructure, particularly its training and consultancy spaces, to attract top-tier clients, including international institutions.
“We need to internationalise MDPI and boost our visibility. It is shocking that even some educated Ghanaians are unaware of what MDPI does, despite its 55-year history. We must change that,” he added.
Prof. Yendaw revealed plans to engage the media, update MDPI’s website regularly, and enhance the Institute’s branding to increase public awareness.
He assured staff of a fair and merit-based promotion system, affirming that, “no one should struggle to get promoted if they meet the requirements. Promotion must be based on merit—not influence.”
He urged the staff to support his leadership and work collectively towards elevating MDPI’s status.
“If we generate revenue and grow together, everyone benefits. Let’s move in unison to build an institution we can all be proud of,” he said.
The staff expressed appreciation for the engagement and the Director General’s passion to lead the institution and promised their unflinching support to implementing his vision for the growth and transformation of the Institute.
They lauded his assurance of not allowing himself to be manipulated in the discharge of his duties, even though his appointment came through the ruling party.
“It has always been our prayer to have a technocrat to steer the affairs of this institution,” a staff member said, called for a re-arrangement of office spaces to reduce overcrowding.
The staff commended his goal of enhancing MDPI’s visibility, describing it as “encouraging and soothing to the ear.”
Others called for transparency, open communication and a work culture that eschewed toxic environments.
They raised concerns over low salary, inadequate remuneration, and poor welfare conditions, and appealed for more access to training programmes to improve their skills and enhance performance.
In response, Prof. Yendaw assured them of his commitment to their professional growth and welfare.
He announced plans to constitute a team that would develop a theme paper to detail and present their concerns, particularly on salary and welfare, for broader policy attention.
GNA
ABD