The Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management (CIHRM) says individuals who are not certified members of the institute can no longer legally practice human resource management in Ghana following the full implementation of the Human Resource Management Professionals Act, 2020 (Act 1020).
Speaking at the CIHRM 2026 Conference in Accra, the President of CIHRM, Florence Hutchful, said the law mandates that the institute regulate the practice of human resource management and promote professional standards across the country.
She explained that under the Act, it is unlawful for persons who are not certified members of CIHRM to perform HR functions, provide professional HR tuition, train HR practitioners, outsource personnel, or offer HR-related services.
Mrs. Hutchful also cautioned HR professionals against abusing the authority entrusted to them, stressing that decisions affecting employees and organisations must be guided by integrity and the interests of the institution rather than personal agendas.
According to her, reports of alleged misconduct within the profession should serve as a wake-up call for stronger accountability and ethical leadership.
“I have heard of situations where HR professionals have allegedly used their influence inappropriately, leading to decisions that appear to be influenced by self-interest rather than objective organisational interest,” she said.
She cited a recent case in which an HR manager was accused of orchestrating the dismissal of certain professionals perceived to be obstacles to the individual’s agenda.
“Whether such accounts are ultimately substantiated or not, they serve as a reminder of accountability, personal leadership and the responsible exercise of authority within the HR function,” she added.
Mrs. Hutchful further disclosed that CIHRM is collaborating with the University of Ghana Business School to establish Ghana’s first Human Resource Professorial Chair to deepen research, support evidence-based workforce management and influence policy development.
The conference, held on the theme “Advancing Human Resource Excellence in Ghana: Leadership, Technology and Governance,” also focused on the future of work and the growing impact of technology on the workforce.
In a speech read on behalf of the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, participants were urged to invest in education, skills development and digital learning to prepare Ghana’s workforce for an increasingly technology-driven economy.
The Minister noted that artificial intelligence, automation and other emerging technologies are reshaping the labour market and require stronger collaboration between educational institutions, industry and policymakers to ensure graduates possess skills that match workplace demands.
Speaking on HR transformation in the AI era, Esi Mmirba Wilson, Chief Human Resource Officer of MTN Ghana, said the question facing organisations is no longer whether artificial intelligence will transform work, but whether people and institutions are ready for the change.
She noted that technology alone does not transform organisations, adding that people remain the driving force behind innovation and growth.
Mrs. Wilson called on HR leaders to prioritise reskilling, digital literacy, critical thinking and adaptability, arguing that organisations that invest in continuous learning will be better positioned to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
