The Government of Ghana, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has organised an Executive Leadership Programme (ELP) for government officials and other stakeholders in Ada of the Greater Accra Region.
The initiative, was under the theme, “Reimagining Leadership in a ‘Reset’ Ghana,” aimed to equip senior government officials with the tools to navigate the complexities of today’s governance landscape.
It brought together Ministers, Deputy Ministers, senior advisors, private sector stakeholders, and representatives from institutions such as the African Development Bank for a dynamic and interactive experience.
The programme’s four thematic modules including, Leading in a New World of Accelerated Change, Leading Systems in a Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA) World, Leading Self and Others, and Leading to Deliver Results encouraged leaders to rethink governance strategies through dialogue, case studies, and foresight exercises.
Facilitators included former heads of state, policy experts, and global thought leaders in public administration.
In his welcome address, President John Dramani Mahama, underscored the pressing challenges facing Ghana and the imperative for innovative leadership.
“Ghana stands at a crossroads, faced with diverse challenges. We must lead differently, think differently, and act differently, as the true measure of our success is the lives we touch and the legacy we leave behind,” President Mahama asserted.
The President highlighted the crucial role of collaboration between various stakeholders in shaping a sustainable future for the nation.
He noted the importance of development partners like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in fostering unity among different sectors.
“Where we feel our development partners, especially UNDP, can come in is bringing together various stakeholders, including the private sector and governments from across the aisle, to agree on one development agenda that we all buy into and agree to move forward no matter who is in power,” President Mahama stated.
In his opening remarks, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, emphasized the critical need for focused and consistent leadership to propel Ghana and the wider African continent toward meaningful progress, saying that a transformative approach to educational systems is vital for the advancement of the region.
“For Ghana and Africa to truly advance, we need focused, consistent leadership and a reimagined approach to our educational systems,” stated former President Goodluck Jonathan,
He stressed that investment must extend beyond technology itself to encompass the human capital that will innovate and drive that technology.
“We must not only invest in technology but also in the people who will create it. Education is the foundation for meaningful change,” he asserted, calling for a holistic strategy that empowers individuals through comprehensive educational frameworks.
A special session featured discussions between women in political leadership and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Director for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa, celebrating Ghana’s strides in gender inclusivity while identifying areas for further improvement.
Ms. Eziakonwa, commended Ghana’s democratic resilience, noting its role as a regional model despite socio-economic challenges such as youth unemployment and climate vulnerability.
As part of UNDP’s Regional Leadership Programme for Africa, the retreat marks a pivotal step toward institutional transformation in Ghana.
The government and UNDP have committed to translating the programme’s outcomes into long-term governance reforms, ensuring leadership that is accountable, inclusive, and future-oriented.
The initiative combined in-person discussions, online learning, and hands-on exercises to equip participants with both theoretical insights and practical leadership tools.
With Ghana entering a new phase of governance, the Executive Leadership Programme has reinforced a collective commitment to driving sustainable development and responsive leadership for all citizens.