We do not frustrate PhD students; GIMPA refutes claims
By DL News
Published
2 min read
In an official statement issued on Friday, October 10, and signed by Professor Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, the Rector, the institute described the publications as “misleading, unfair, and lacking proper context.”
The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) has strongly denied recent media reports alleging that its management is deliberately obstructing PhD students at the School of Public Service and Governance (SPSG) from completing their programmes.
In an official statement issued on Friday, October 10, and signed by Professor Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, the Rector, the institute described the publications as “misleading, unfair, and lacking proper context.”
According to GIMPA, the claims distort the institution’s long-standing commitment to maintaining academic excellence, integrity, and rigorous doctoral standards.
“Doctoral education by its very nature demands a sustained commitment to high-quality research, originality, and intellectual rigour. It is not a race against time but a process of producing research that contributes meaningfully to national development and global scholarship,” the statement read.
GIMPA explained that since launching its PhD programme in 2015, it has successfully graduated about 35 students, averaging three per year. The institution continues to refine its systems and quality assurance measures to align with international academic benchmarks.
Among these measures are the introduction of structured doctoral seminars, faculty mentorship programmes, research methodology workshops, and a robust peer-review system — all designed to enhance research quality and uphold academic credibility.
A major source of misunderstanding, the statement noted, concerns the creation of an ad hoc committee by the Academic Board to review student dissertations before their public defence.
GIMPA clarified that the committee’s role is not to delay graduation but to provide constructive peer review and feedback to improve research quality.
“The ad hoc committee is a normal academic mechanism used globally. Its purpose is to ensure that PhD research meets GIMPA’s quality standards, not to interfere with students’ progress,” the statement emphasized.
While most schools within GIMPA have embraced the new peer review process, a group of doctoral candidates from the School of Public Service and Governance have reportedly raised objections, claiming it hinders their academic progression.
The institute acknowledged receiving a petition from the affected students addressed to the Governing Council and confirmed that it is awaiting the Council’s decision after internal engagements aimed at resolution.
Professor Bonsu reaffirmed that GIMPA would not compromise academic integrity for expediency.
“We cannot, in good conscience, graduate students who have not met the academic and research standards expected of a PhD programme,” he stated.
To ensure uniformity across doctoral schools, GIMPA has introduced new PhD Programme Guidelines based on recommendations from the committee, aimed at enhancing clarity, transparency, and consistency.
The Rector concluded by emphasizing that GIMPA’s reputation rests on the quality of its graduates and the relevance of their research to national and international development goals.
GIMPA reiterated its openness to constructive engagement with students and stakeholders, assuring that it remains anchored on the principles of rigour, integrity, and academic excellence.
