The Centre for Executive Development (CED) has issued a crucial call to executive and administrative professionals across Ghana to fundamentally reshape their professional identities, emphasizing a crucial shift from traditional task-oriented support roles to strategic partnership positions within an evolving landscape dominated by technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at the Executive and Administrative Leaders Roundtable 2026 in Accra, CED Executive Director Mrs. Abigail Ampontuah-Yeboah underscored this imperative, stating that the current perception of Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Office Managers, and similar roles as merely ‘task-oriented support staff’ is increasingly inadequate for sustained relevance in the future of work. The Roundtable, convened on the theme “Executive Support 2030: Leading Through Innovation, Influence, and Impact,” brought together a diverse group of executive support professionals, human resource practitioners, governance experts, professional bodies, and organisational leaders – all representing a critical cross-section of the industry. The Roundtable’s primary focus was on understanding the changing demands of the profession, a task accelerated by the rapid adoption of AI and automation. Mrs. Ampontuah-Yeboah emphasized that the future of executive support necessitates a shift beyond routine administrative duties, demanding that professionals embrace strategic thinking, innovation, sound judgment, and demonstrable measurable impact. Specifically, she highlighted the increasing expectation for professionals to move beyond merely executing tasks and actively contribute to strategic decision-making. According to a report commissioned by CED, the rapid integration of AI and automation is not simply a threat but an opportunity. As technology increasingly automates repetitive administrative tasks, executive support professionals will increasingly be expected to cultivate human capabilities such as emotional intelligence, discretion, critical thinking, communication, and relationship management – skills that remain uniquely valuable. The Roundtable also revealed that professionals must invest in continuous learning and development, focusing on areas including digital technology, strategy, governance, project management, communication, and organisational performance. “The journey towards Executive Support 2030 has already begun,” Mrs. Ampontuah-Yeboah asserted, “and professionals must actively take ownership of their development, embrace innovation, build credible influence, and demonstrate the impact of their work.” The CED executive director reiterated the commitment to professionalising executive support through training, certification, and continuous professional development, noting that more than 200 professionals have received training through international certification and executive development programmes. Furthermore, the Roundtable underscored the importance of stakeholders like HR Certification Centre, National Association of Professional Secretaries and Administrative Professionals Ghana (NAPG), the West African branch of Chartered Governance Institute (CGI), Association of Executive Assistants-Ghana, and other professionals committed to advancing standards within the executive and administrative support profession. The CED executive director further stressed the significance of the Roundtable’s participation, highlighting that the collaborative efforts of professional bodies, governance institutions, and human resource leaders demonstrate the growing recognition that executive support is a critical component of organisational effectiveness. The CED Executive Director affirmed CED’s dedication to empowering executive and administrative professionals through targeted training, certification, and ongoing professional development initiatives to equip them with the competencies required to become trusted strategic partners within their organisations. The Roundtable’s discussions included contributions from leading HR specialists, governance experts, and executive support leaders, representing a significant level of engagement from diverse sectors of the industry. The CED’s commitment to creating platforms for professional learning, networking, knowledge sharing, and career advancement underscores its dedication to fostering a dynamic and adaptable workforce capable of thriving in the evolving landscape. The Roundtable’s outcomes are expected to guide CED’s strategic initiatives, ensuring that executive support professionals remain at the forefront of organisational effectiveness and innovation.” , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Source: Adom Online
