UGBS and CIHRM Launch Fundraising and Institutionalisation Activities for Ghana’s First HR Professorial Chair
The University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management Ghana (CIHRM-G), officially launched fundraising and institutionalisation activities for the establishment of Ghana’s first-ever Professorial Chair in Human Resource Management on 13th May 2025. This historic event took place at the R.S Amegashie Auditorium of UGBS and brought together stakeholders from academia, industry, and the wider human resource (HR) fraternity.
In a welcome address delivered on behalf of the Dean of UGBS, Prof. Justice N. Bawole, Prof. Damoah Obi Berko described the event as a “truly historic moment.” He noted that while UGBS has existing Professorial Chairs in Finance and Accounting, this is the first of its kind focused on Human Resource Management in Ghana. “This initiative is one of the most meaningful partnerships between academia and a professional body. It’s time for HR professionals to play a stronger role in shaping national policy, and this Chair will serve as a platform to influence key institutions like the Labour Commission, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and the Public Services Commission.” Prof. Berko said.
Chairperson of the Fundraising Committee and renowned HR practitioner, Dr. Ellen Hagan, gave a keynote address stressing the significance of the initiative. She explained that the Professorial Chair is not just about academic prestige but about recognising HR’s central role in national development. “HR is the engine of national productivity, institutional governance, and human capital development. “This Chair will give us the platform to start a national conversation, grounded in research and Ghanaian realities, about how to build workplaces that support the future of work in Ghana,” she said.
Dr. Hagan explained the timeliness of the initiative, especially considering the Institute’s recent attainment of Chartered status. “This means HR practice in Ghana is now governed, recognised, and protected by law. The Professorial Chair aligns with this mandate by promoting thought leadership, ethical practice, and evidence-based HR strategies,” she added.
President of CIHRM-G, Mrs. Florence Hutchful, echoed the relevance of the Chair in transforming people management in Ghana. She emphasised that the country’s growth is dependent on a well-managed and ethical workforce, and there is no doubt that Ghana’s development rests on a productive and effectively managed workforce. According to her, the chair will drive advanced research and context-specific data to inform effective HR policy formulation. It will also support the alignment of academic curriculum with the evolving demands of HR practice.
She further highlighted the Institute’s ongoing collaborations with tertiary institutions, including UGBS, to ensure students receive professional training from the onset of their academic journeys. “Beyond technical skills, we also stress ethical conduct and character shaping. This Chair supports that broader vision,” she said.
Dr. Francis Eduku, the representative of the Fundraising Committee, revealed that the initiative is a year-long programme with several upcoming activities. These include: Media engagement and press releases to drive nationwide awareness, corporate walk and HR conference week on 14th June, aimed at uniting HR professionals and promoting physical and mental wellness, a special HR lecture and keynote presentation during the conference on 19th June, engagement with policy leaders to drive HR integration into national development strategies and HR community brunches and networking events with HR practitioners from public, private, and non-governmental organisations.
There would also be CEO and MD engagement sessions to shift traditional perceptions of HR from administrative support to strategic leadership, a public lecture on 16th October to emphasise the link between HR and national development and a culminating forum on 20th November to review achievements, challenges, and chart the way forward. Dr. Eduku noted the critical need for financial support, noting that the budget for entrenching the Professorial Chair, particularly for a five-year period, is substantial. “We will continue to circulate donation cards and appeal to individuals, organisations, and stakeholders to contribute to this transformative initiative,” he said.
Closing the event, Prof. Obi Berko reaffirmed UGBS’s commitment to the collaboration with CIHRM-G and issued a passionate call to action. “UGBS is proud to be the first business school to sign an MoU with the Institute. Today’s launch is not the end but the beginning of the journey. Let us all commit to the vision of elevating Human Resource Management in Ghana and positioning it as a critical driver of development,” he said.
The event was crowned with the official launch of the HR Professorial Chair, which will be situated at the Department of Human Resource and Organisational Management at UGBS. The initiative is expected to serve as a vital bridge between academia and industry, influence HR policy, drive national development, and provide a beacon of excellence for future HR professionals in Ghana and beyond.
