The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) has firmly rejected claims that it is deliberately frustrating PhD students, stressing that it will not compromise its academic standards for any reason.
The response comes after media reports alleged that management was preventing students from the School of Public Service and Governance (SPSG) from graduating.
In a statement signed by its Rector, Professor Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, GIMPA described the reports as “misleading, unfair and lacking full context.”
The Institute, widely known for its strong commitment to academic integrity, defended its rigorous doctoral training process, emphasizing that pursuing a PhD is “not a race against time but a rigorous process of producing original, high-quality research.”
Quality assurance at the heart of the dispute
At the centre of the controversy is the introduction of an ad hoc Committee by the Academic Board to vet student papers before their public presentations.
Some SPSG doctoral students have criticized this step, claiming it amounts to management interference in their academic progress. But GIMPA maintains that the committee is a necessary quality assurance mechanism designed to strengthen academic outputs, not block them.
“The ad hoc Committee gives feedback to students and supervisors towards improvement of their work,” the statement explained, describing the process as standard peer review practice that has been fully embraced by all other schools within the institution.
“It is quite unfortunate that SPSG students alone perceive this as a barrier,” management added.
Petition to Governing Council
GIMPA also confirmed that it is aware of a formal petition submitted by the concerned doctoral students to the Governing Council and has indicated its readiness to cooperate with the process.
However, management made it clear that its position on academic quality will not be swayed by external pressure.
“Management wishes to state that GIMPA cannot compromise on our academic integrity by graduating students who have not met the quality standards of a PhD programme,” the statement stressed.
According to the Institute, the quality benchmarks being enforced today are the same standards that have guided the PhD programme since its inception in 2015.
GIMPA reaffirms commitment to academic excellence
GIMPA reiterated its commitment to supporting deserving students to complete their doctoral programmes successfully, while maintaining the rigour and credibility associated with its academic qualifications.
“Our commitment remains to produce world-class doctoral graduates,” the release concluded.
“We will continue to stand for rigour, integrity, and relevance in research, while providing the necessary support for students to succeed.”
The Governing Council is expected to review the students’ petition in the coming days, but GIMPA’s position on maintaining strict academic standards remains unwavering.
