The African Institute of Personal and Executive Assistants (AIPEA), an initiative to highlight the role of administrative professionals in Africa, has been launched in Accra.
An initiative of FiveSixFive Ltd, the landmark initiative took place during the 2025 PA Conference held at the Labadi Beach Hotel, on the theme: “Growth for Cross-Border Relevance,” with over 200 delegates in attendance for the two-day event.
Administrative professionals play a crucial role in the day-to-day operations of any business. They are required to possess various skills, including excellent organisation, communication, technical knowledge, time management among other things.
The two-day event attracted several key professionals who shared their perspectives on the sub-themes for the conference.
These included Bunmi Pratt, a renowned HR expert, the Head of HR at Ecobank Ghana PLC, Nixon Amoah-Awuah and a consultant, Kojo Amissah, as well as a transformative leader, Papa Arkhurst.
A clinical psychologist, Dr May Cullen Wulff-Caesar, 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”.
Key to success
Delivering the keynote address at the ceremony, a visiting lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, Professor Robert Ebo Hinson, said the initiative was a step in the right direction as it would provide a platform for them to constantly learn innovative ways to enhance efficiency and also be abreast of best practices from around the world.
He said administrative professionals were critical to the success of any organisation.
Thus, such a platform was needed to strengthen the professional group further.
“This initiative is long overdue. It is important to have an institutional backbone for a profession central to organisational success," Prof. Hinson stated.
Also making a presentation on “Building a Corporate Image from the Unseen Seat,” Prof. Hinson emphasised the strategic value of visibility and influence.
The Managing Partner of FiveSixFive Ltd, Maame Ekua Gaisey, emphasised the institute’s commitment to empowering administrative professionals across Africa.
‘’We will assist them through a series of targeted interventions, including seminars, workshops, and, of course, our flagship annual conference.
Our aim is to raise their status to that of strategic executive partners, not merely task managers within their organisations’’.
She also noted that AIPEA would operate an open membership system to accommodate assistants at all career levels and stages.
Building on the success of this year’s edition, Maame Gaisey confirmed plans further to expand the conference’s footprint across the continent.
“We are 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,” she explained.
