General News of Monday, 19 January 2015
Source: Graphic Online
The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Julius Debrah, has urged the management of the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) to work hard and also introduce creative programmes that would build the capacity of students in the local government system.
Speaking at the congregation ceremony of the school, he said, although the ILGS had since its inception provided quality human capital to serve in various capacities across institutions and corporate bodies in the country, it was necessary to groom students particularly in the local government system.
“This would help to achieve the four pillars of the local government ministry,” he said.
He, however, stated that the ministry would expand the infrastructural facilities of the institute to admit more students for first degree, master’s and tailor-made courses.
The first batch of students who pursued various master’s programmes graduated from the ILGS last Saturday.
In all, 33 students including five females graduated with master’s degrees in Local Government Administration and Organisation, Environmental Science, Policy and Management, Local Economic Development and Local Government Financial Management.
The Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) is a public management development institution established under an Act of Parliament, 647 of 2003.
The institute was inaugurated in 1999 as a project of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to co-ordinate and promote training, education, research and consultancy in furtherance of Ghana’s decentralisation agenda.
It also formed part of efforts by the government of Ghana to equip the local government system to play a pivotal role in development and poverty reduction.
The Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor W. O. Ellis, urged the graduates to uphold integrity and exhibit high standards of professionalism in their future endeavours.
“If you are going to be part of the knowledge-based community, you need to equip yourself and be abreast of happenings around the world,” he advised.
The Director of ILGS, Dr Esther Oduraa Ofei-Aboagye, announced the completion of the new graduate block and said its use will foster the effective learning of issues related to local governance.
The block has four lecture halls, faculty lounge, data room, four staff offices and a boardroom.
Dr Ofei-Aboagye said the new block would be named after Professor Kwamena Ahwoi based on his contribution to the development of Ghana’s public administration system.