The role of administrative professionals in Africa received significant attention with the official launch of the African Institute of Personal and Executive Assistants (AIPEA), a landmark initiative unveiled during the 2025 PA Conference.
Held from July 17-18, the fifth edition of the conference marked its most ambitious gathering yet, with over 200 delegates from across Ghana converging under the theme “Growth for Cross-Border Relevance.”
For the first time, the annual conference extended to a two-day format, allowing for deeper engagements, specialised workshops, and more regional collaboration.
The historic launch of AIPEA took place on the first day of the conference, following an inspiring keynote address by Professor Robert Ebo Hinson, visiting lecturer at the University of Johannesburg and a newly appointed member of the AIPEA Governing Council.
Professor Hinson officially declared the institute open, describing it as a “long-overdue institutional backbone for a profession central to organisational success.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Maame Ekua Gaisey, Managing Partner of FiveSixFive Ltd, emphasised the institute’s commitment to empowering administrative professionals across Africa: “We are going to support them through a series of targeted interventions, including seminars, workshops, and, of course, our flagship annual conference. Our goal is to elevate their status to that of strategic executive partners, not just task managers within their organisations.”
She also noted that AIPEA would operate an open membership system to accommodate assistants at all levels and stages in their careers.
Day one of the conference featured a strong lineup of expert speakers who brought insightful perspectives to the evolving role of administrative professionals.
Professor Robert Ebo Hinson set the tone with his presentation on “Building a Corporate Image from the Unseen Seat,” emphasising the strategic value of visibility and influence. Bunmi Pratt, a renowned HR expert, followed with a session on “Managing the Multi-Dimensional Needs of an International Executive,” highlighting the diverse competencies required of today’s assistants. Consultant Kojo Amissah inspired participants with “Positioning the PA/EA for Global Appeal,” while transformative leader Papa Arkhurst spoke on “Public Speaking: A Relevant Cross-Border Skill for Success.”
On day two, the conference maintained its momentum with sessions focused on career development and personal well-being. Nixon Amoah-Awuah, Head of HR at Ecobank Ghana PLC, offered a comprehensive overview of “The Career Path of Personal and Executive Assistants,” encouraging delegates to envision long-term growth. Dr. May Cullen Wulff-Caesar, a clinical psychologist, addressed critical topics in her session on “Mental Health and Resilience for the Administrative Professional.”
The day also featured a forward-looking panel discussion on the future of the profession, and a hands-on tech workshop led by Jacques Yannick Amatcha on “Harnessing AI tools for administrative efficiency”.
The conference’s impact was immediately felt by participants: Agatha Linda Abbey, Executive Assistant, shared: “this event completely redefined how I view my role. The speakers didn’t just motivate, they equipped us. I now see myself as a value creator, not just a support function. Thank you for AIPEA, now the PAs also have a professional body to call our own.”
Pilate Dapaah, an Assistant in banking, added: “The session on cross-border skills opened my eyes to international opportunities. I will now be actively looking into virtual assistant opportunities across Africa.”
Nancy Boye, Senior Administrative Officer, reflected: “The tech workshop was a game changer. I can’t wait to start applying some of the AI tools we learned about and see how it will transform how I manage time and communication.”
Building on the success of this year’s edition, Maame Gaisey confirmed plans to further expand the conference’s footprint across the continent. “We’re excited to welcome our neighbours, either virtually or in person. The AIPEA is not just for Ghana; it’s a continental hub for elevating the profession of executive, strategic and personal assistants.”
With bold steps taken at the 2025 PA Conference, a new era has begun for Africa’s personal and executive assistants, one marked by visibility, professionalism, and a seat at the table.
