Aggrieved doctoral candidates of the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration, Leadership and Governance programme at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration have responded to what they say is a ‘disappointing’ attempt by the Rector of GIMPA, Prof. Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, to justify his decision to change the structure of the programme which has created roadblocks impeding the ability of the PhD students to complete their programme and graduate after more than a decade for some of them. The students speaking for the first time since news broke of the ongoing empasse at GIMPA, issued a statement on Monday where they expressed their disappointment in the rector’s recent public remarks on the matter seeking to justify the difficulties confronting the PhD programme under the guise of quality assurance. According to the students, such a decision has derailed the progress of the programme “in a manner that inadvertently undermines faculty members and supervisors” at the School of Public Service and Governance.

They also noted that the rector unilaterally took a decision to abolish the Graduate School in contravention of GTEC rules. Due to that, studies have been disrupted posing further constraints on students. The PhD candidates are therefore calling on stakeholders including faculty, Governing Council, alumni and the wider public to take keen interest in the ongoing matter at GIMPA to ensure all other students are treated fairly.

Read the press statement by the PhD students below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATTN: EDITOR

GIMPA PhD Students Clarify Context on Media Reports

Accra, Ghana 20/10/2025
Students affected by challenges in the PhD programme at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) wish to set the record straight regarding recent public statements by the Rector of the Institute.

We express our disappointment at the Rector’s attempt to justify the difficulties confronting the PhD programme under the guise of quality assurance, in a manner that inadvertently undermines faculty members and supervisors, particularly at the School of Public Service and Governance.

Duration of Study
The PhD programme was designed for a specified period of three (3) years. However, many students have remained in the programme for between seven (7) and ten (10) years. This prolonged duration should be a matter of grave concern to the Rector if competence and results are priorities for the Institute.

Collapse of the Graduate School
We note with concern the unilateral decision by the Rector to abolish the Graduate School, a body that traditionally coordinates all postgraduate programmes including PhDs. This action, which reportedly stemmed from personal differences, directly contravenes the Governing Council’s directive and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) requirement that all universities offering graduate programmes must maintain a Graduate School.

Constitution of Committees
The establishment of a PhD Committee at the School of Public Service and Governance, despite the existence of a duly appointed PhD Coordinator, appears to duplicate roles unnecessarily and hampers student progress. Similarly, the creation of ad hoc committees to re-examine theses already vetted by qualified professors has only introduced avoidable bureaucratic layers. Despite the Governing Council’s directive to abolish such committees, the Rector introduced yet another mechanism known as the Gatekeeper within the Office of the Deputy Rector. This process requires additional vetting, pre viva sessions, and clearances, extending thesis processing by an average of three years.

Graduation Figures
It is misleading to suggest that thirty five (35) students have graduated from the PhD programme. In reality, only seventeen (17) students in the School of Public Service and Governance have successfully completed the programme since its inception in 2014. Those who have abandoned the programme far outnumber those who have graduated which is an indication that systemic issues must be addressed.

Appeal to Leadership
We wish to emphasise that we are mature individuals, many of whom have decades of professional and life experience. While we respect institutional processes and quality assurance mechanisms, we reject any attempt to frustrate students or use them as collateral in administrative disputes.

In light of the above, we respectfully pose the following questions to the Rector:

1. How long did it take you personally to complete your PhD degree?
2. As Rector, are you satisfied that out of over one hundred (100) students admitted, only seventeen (17) have graduated?
3. Are you concerned that under your leadership, GIMPA risks becoming a ghost community?
4. Has GIMPA ever been in the news for such negative reasons before now?

We call on all stakeholders including faculty, Governing Council, alumni, and the wider public to take keen interest in these matters to ensure that the integrity and reputation of GIMPA are preserved and that students receive fair treatment in pursuit of their academic goals.

Signed
Concerned PhD Students, GIMPA