PROFESSIONALISM IS VITAL FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT - NANA ATO ARTHUR The Head of Local Government Service Dr Nana Ato Arthur says it is time for professionals in the country to rise up to the challenge of helping in nation building. According to him professionalism helps governance across the globe since it ensures discipline, honesty and integrity in our relations at home and the workplace. When well used, it helps to improve the quality of life. Nana Ato Arthur stated this in his address as the guest of honour at the 16th annual graduation and induction ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants (CIAMC) – Ghana in Accra. He said the pride of every nation is to develop for the benefit of its citizens. This development comes about through effective collaboration of all sectors and corporate bodies supported by professional groups. Nana Ato Arthur went ahead to define this development as where a country has the ability to “improve the social welfare of the people … by providing social amenities like quality education, potable water, transportation infrastructure, and medical care among others”. He linked the theme chosen for the occasion CONSISTENCY IN IDENTITY to development by saying that in their contribution as professionals together with others across the spectrum, their output must be identical in excellence. Stressing on decentralization as a fulcrum for development over the years, Nana Ato Arthur traced the progress made in the area over the years and stated that together with local governance, it is the most “viable approach to securing sustainable development”. He however called for the process to be strengthened and for professionals to exert themselves in their contribution to the success of it. According to Nana Ato Arthur, in taking a lead role in the affairs of the decentralized units, professional standards must be the guiding principle for all work processes. This will make the professionals good role models for others. He reminded the graduating professionals and others in similar areas to remember that compromised professional standards do not only lead to loss of revenue but can even result in death. He expressed the hope that they will rise to the occasion. In welcoming the new members to the fraternity, the Chairman of the Examination Council of the CIAMC Professor B. K. Aheto said they are not just receiving certificates but are being called to duty and “they have a charge to keep” which should not be taken lightly. He called on them to continue to sharpen their skills through further professional programmes in order to retain their certificates. A newly licensed member Emmanuel Ogoe-Ferguson in an interview with GBCONLINE expressed his determination to let the knowledge acquired tell in the discharge of his work. Emmanuel, a staff of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation said he will not relent in his effort to remain regularly updated in his professional career so that his organisation will benefit from his services. The ceremony which was graced by the Technical Adviser to the Senior Minister Robert Poku-Kyei had 41 licensing candidates being inducted. In addition, there were twelve graduating candidates with one for Bachelor of Business Administration and fifteen being presented with Masters of Business Administration. CIAMC was formerly called Chartered Institute of Administration Ghana and is the 47th professional institute to be established in the country. Their aim is to promote the provision of high quality professional training. The institute believes among other tenets that professional management skill is vital for growth and development. Story: Kingsley Obeng-Kyereh @kobengkyereh GBCONLINE ---DECRYPTED---