By Lawrencia Akoto Frempong, GNA
Accra, Aug. 05, GNA – The Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, Ghana (CIHRM Ghana), has conferred Chartered Human Resource Management Practitioner status on 35 professionals and admitted 182 new Associate Members at its 16th Conferral and 20th Graduation Ceremony.
The ceremony, held under the theme “Building Future-Fit HR Practitioners to Drive Business Sustainability”, highlighted the growing importance of strategic, ethical and technologically competent HR professionals in building sustainable organisations and supporting Ghana’s development.
With the addition of the new members, the number of chartered members of the institute has increased from 452 to 487, while its associate membership rose from 2,686 to 2,868.
The CIHRM Ghana is the legally mandated professional body established under the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, Ghana Act, 2020 (Act 1020), to regulate the practice of human resource management and set professional standards for HR practitioners in Ghana.
Mr Francis Eduku, the Chief Executive Officer of CIHRM Ghana, congratulated the graduates and conferees for demonstrating resilience, discipline and commitment throughout their professional certification journey.
Mr Eduku stated that the rapidly changing world of work requires HR professionals to embrace continuous learning and remain responsive to emerging developments.
He said that the knowledge and skills they acquired today might not be relevant tomorrow; therefore, they must strive to become lifelong learners and be intentionally inquisitive about what is happening inside and outside their organisations.
He stressed that future-fit HR practitioners must be proactive and capable of preparing organisations for emerging opportunities and potential disruptions.
“Future-fit HR practitioners must be anticipatory, nimble and agile in their HR delivery. They must not only focus on what is happening but also prioritise what could happen,” he added.
He further urged the new members to uphold professional ethics and integrity, while charging them to be HR professionals who “choose principle over popularity, fairness over favouritism and courage over silence and, above all, choose integrity when no one is watching”.
Professor Obi Berko Damoah, Head of the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School, reiterated that the future of organisations would not be determined by technology or financial capital alone but by the quality of people who are prepared to harness technology ethically, strategically and sustainably.
Prof Damoah explained that being future-fit extends beyond the ability to use artificial intelligence and other digital technologies, as it requires the mindset, competencies, agility and leadership capacity to anticipate change rather than merely react to it.
He urged HR professionals to move beyond traditional administrative roles and become strategic partners in leading organisational transformation.
“Future-fit professionals do not wait for disruption before responding; they prepare organisations before disruption occurs. They do not simply solve today’s problems; they build the organisational capabilities required to address tomorrow’s challenges,” he stated.
Prof Damoah identified eight competencies that would distinguish outstanding HR professionals in the coming decade: strategic thinking; digital and artificial intelligence literacy; emotional intelligence; data-driven decision-making; sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) orientation; change leadership; ethical leadership and governance; and lifelong learning and adaptability.
He emphasised that, while technology is transforming the workplace, human qualities such as empathy, trust, relationship-building and ethical judgement will remain essential and also encouraged the newly admitted members to focus on making meaningful contributions to their organisations and society.
Mrs Anita Andrews Nanfuri, the Chairperson of the Professional Certification Board (PCB) and the Head of HR at the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), encouraged them to build on the knowledge and skills they acquired through the professional certification programme.
Mrs Nanfuri also announced significant growth in enrolment for the institute’s professional certification programme, attributing it to a special arrangement with the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) to run level one of the CIHRM Ghana Professional Certification Programme as part of its access course.
She encouraged the members to aspire to the highest level and fellowship and contribute actively to the growth of the institute and the HR profession.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Lawrencia Akoto Frempong, GNA