Source: newsthemegh.com/Accra Metropolitan Assembly
Two Executive Master of Public Administration students from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) have arrived in Ghana to commence a two-week internship programme at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The selected students will be deployed to the Budget and Rating Department and the Development Planning Unit of the Assembly to acquaint themselves with the city’s infrastructure, gain insight into the local government system, and apply their professional experiences to contribute to the city’s development process.
The internship programme, initiated last year, and facilitated by the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) is designed to foster an exchange of ideas and strategies for public service between students from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and their counterparts in Ghana. As part of the programme, students will be placed in various national government ministries, including transport, culture and tourism, and education.
The Coordinating Director of AMA, Douglas N.K Annoful who represented the Mayor of Accra during the meeting used the platform to welcome the delegation from NCCU adding that their presence signified a valuable opportunity for cross-cultural learning and collaborations between California and Accra.
He highlighted the 125th-anniversary celebration of the Assembly and recent restructuring which saw the subdivision of its jurisdiction from thirteen sub-metros to three.
He also provided insights into the structure of the Assembly and its sources of revenue, adding that their participation in the exchange program will enrich their academic experience and contribute to the city’s development in the long run.
Speaking in an interview after the opening meeting held at the Accra City Hall on Monday, Pierre Osei-Owusu, DM, Professor of the Department of Public Administration at NCCU, explained that the internship programme involves studying the environment and various departments within the AMA, adding that the students would identify processes, standard operation procedures (SOP), and any unmet needs and propose ideas as well as strategies to improve public service based on their findings.
“This is the programme’s second year, and we plan to continue it for the next five years,” stated Dr. Paul. “The exchange of ideas between our students and their counterparts in Ghana is invaluable, and we hope that it will lead to the development of new strategies for public service, ” he said.
He emphasised the importance of the exchange in identifying and improving upon ideas to enhance the public service system in both countries and expressed optimism about the positive impact of the programme on both the students and the AMA.
“As the internship programme progresses, it is expected to not only enhance the students’ understanding of public service but also strengthen the partnership between NCCU and the AMA, fostering continued collaboration in the years to come, ” he said.
Christopher John Paul, PHD, Associate Professor and MPA Director of the Department of Public Administration, at NC Central University, highlighted the importance of experiencing the workings of local and national government in Ghana, stating that it provides valuable insights into organisational functioning, communication, community building, and effective public service.
“This partnership is an opportunity for our students to learn through their counterparts and colleagues here in Ghana,” said Dr. Paul. “It’s incredibly important for understanding not only how organisations function but also how people interact and do effective work in public service, ” he said.