The programmes included Master of Public Sector Management, Master of Science in Occupational Health and Safety Management, Master of Arts in Monitoring and Evaluation, and Master of Science in Project Management.
The awarding of the degree programmes was pronounced after the meeting and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Director General of MDI and Ghana’s ambassador to Senegal accredited to The Gambia and other high dignitaries from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
In his remarks, Alhajie Sillah Conateh, Public Relations Officer of MDI and GIMPA coordinator, hailed partners for their unwavering support and for strengthening the relationship between the two institutions.
He said the relationship between the two institutions spanned decades ago and was strengthened with the signing of a grant agreement between GIMPA and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) on 5 September 2005.
The objective of the signing, he added, was to build the capacities of both middle and senior-level public sector officials in anglophone West Africa, namely The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, and Nigeria.
The whole proposal of MDI in granting degrees was initiated by the late Vice President, Badara Joof, who led two delegations to GIMPA with the sole aim of getting those two institutions to collaborate in running master’s programmes, with GIMPA providing mentorship to the MDI.
The proposal was further carried on by Professor Pierre Gomez, minister for Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology, whose dedication and support led to the transformation of MDI into a Civil Service College with full powers to award degrees.
Alieu K. Jarju, Director General of MDI, factored out challenges that institutions could face, adding that no institution has all the human resources to serve its target audience, which was why they needed partnership and mentorship since it was the first time the institution was awarding degrees.
He emphasised the importance of communication in every project and channel, adding that most projects have failed because of ineffective communication.
Emma Mensah, Ghana's Ambassador to Senegal accredited to The Gambia, thanked MDI officials for their warm welcome and stated that Ghana and The Gambia have a cordial and fruitful relationship.
Her Excellency Mrs Mensah further said the two countries are collaborating in judicial, educational and capacity building of senior and middle-level civil servants.
They wanted to strengthen the relationship between the partners,she said, stressing that training and capacity building of civil servants, as well as teachers, would be of paramount importance.
Speakers at the function included Lamin F. Jawara, permanent secretary at the Personnel Management Office, Professor Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, GIMPA Rector, and Dr Patrick Tandeh Offing, Dean of School of Public Service and Governance - GIMPA, and Dr Burama Jammeh, MDI Strategic Leadership Committee member.
