“Nineteen years is not merely a measure of time. It represents nearly two decades of commitment to knowledge, professional excellence, innovation, and service to Ghana’s financial and insurance sectors. Institutions such as this help shape the confidence of nations.

“They create professionals who do not simply respond to risk, but who build trust, resilience, and opportunity within society as today’s ceremony also carries a special significance for Malta”, he noted.

It is important to note that Ghana and Malta have strengthened their relations founded on mutual respect, professionalism, education, and enterprise. Mr Micaleff intimated in excitement that “the insurance and financial services sectors have formed part of this wider story of cooperation between our two countries as Malta itself developed into an important international financial and insurance centre through investment in education, regulation, specialized training and international cooperation”.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Ghana Insurance University College (GIU) and 19th graduation dinner and awards ceremony in La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, His Excellency Ronald Micaleff congratulated the graduands and admonished them to make the best out of their feat for the greater good of everyone while wishing the best for the University.

Commissioner of Insurance urges ethical leadership
The Ag. Commissioner of Insurance, Dr Abiba Zakariah, who is also the Chairperson of the GIU has congratulated the 19th graduating class, highlighting their perseverance, sacrifice, discipline, and dedication. She reminded them that graduation is the beginning of greater responsibilities and opportunities.

According to her, the insurance industry requires professionals who are willing to learn continuously, embrace change and innovation, and uphold integrity. She commended the GIU for its efforts in developing human capital for the insurance industry. She underscored the critical role of education in building professional excellence and equipping practitioners with technical competencies and leadership skills.

Dr Zakariah described education as the foundation upon which professional excellence is built, empowering professionals to innovate and lead with confidence. She underscored the timely relevance importance of the theme “Building the Future of Insurance, highlighting the convergence of research, education, and industry”.

Keynote Address by Mr Augustine Kwame Addo
The keynote address was delivered by Augustine Kwame Addo, an entrepreneur who used the occasion to encourage the graduates to become ambassadors of professionalism and ethical leadership, contributing to a stronger and more inclusive insurance industry.

He therefore advised the graduates to stay faithful to their values as they enter the next stage of life and encouraged them to strive to become leaders who will have a positive influence in society.

Remarks by the Rector of the GIU, Dr. Richard Okyere

The Rector of the GIU, Dr. Richard Okyere, announced that the University College is now affiliated to the University of Ghana. The GIU would commence enrolment of students for academic programmes in September.

Declaring the nature of the institution, Dr. Richard Okyere said the BSc in Actuarial Science with Insurance and BSc in Certificates Insurance will commence, with some insurance courses integrated into the BSc in Computer and Data Science. Dr Richard Okyere expressed deep gratitude and appreciation to the governing Council of the GIU, the insurance industry CEOs, resource persons, and other stakeholders for their continuous support.

He also acknowledged the management and staff of the University College, looking forward to their continued cooperation for better achievements in the coming year.

Remarks by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo

In a speech delivered by the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of the UG, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, she corroborated the affiliation status of the GIU with the UG, confirming the fact that enrolment for academic programmes mainly in the Actuarial and Data Management Sciences would commence in the next academic year.

She gave the assurance of the premier university’s commitment to the development and growth of the GIU as she congratulated the graduands who made it as part of the 19th graduation cohort.

Remarks by the Malta International Training Centre by Ramon Muscat
The Director of the Malta International Training Centre (MITC), Mr Ramon Muscat congratulated the graduands and the GIU for having made it to this status. He also assured the leadership of the GIU of the continuous support of the MITC as it has been in this partnership with the GIU since 2006.

Swearing-in of the Governing Council
The Governing Council and the Academic Board Members were also officially and legally sworn in by Mrs Naa Shormeh Gyang, a Solicitor to signify the beginning of a new journey of the GIU. Those sworn in as follows:

• Dr. Abiba Zakariah, Chairperson / Commissioner of Insurance, NIC
• Dr. Richard Okyere, Rector (GIU), Member / Chairman of the Academic Board
• Mrs. Boatemaa Barfuor-Awuah, Member / President of the Ghana Insurers Association (GIA)
• Mr Stephen Kwarteng Yeboah, Member / President of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ghana (IBAG)
• Mr Solomon Lartey, Member / President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Ghana (CIIG)
• Dr Mahama Wayo, Member / NIC
• Dr Kingsley Kwesi Kwabahson, Member / GIA
• Dr. Isaac Baidoo, Member / Senior Lecturer – University of Ghana
• Mr. Shaibu Ali, Member / former President, IBAG
• Mrs. Naa Shormeh Gyang, Secretary / Solicitor

Recognition Awards
The ceremony witnessed the recognition awards to stakeholders and individuals who contributed significantly to the development of the GIU since it started as the Ghana Insurance College (GIC) in 2006.

They are:
• Dr. Justice Ofori, the first Director of the GIU and a former Commissioner of Insurance
• Ms Josephine Jennifer Amoah, former Commissioner of Insurance
• Mrs. Nyamikeh Kyiamah, former Commissioner of Insurance
• Mr Michael Kofi Andoh, former Ag Commissioner of Insurance
• Dr. Frank Odoom, former Director-General of SSNIT
• Mr Kwame-Gazo Agbenyadzie, the 8th President of the GIA
• Mr. James Smith-Asante, a former Board Secretary
• Mr. Gustav Siale, former Managing Director, Ghana Re PLC
• Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, former Managing Director of Vanguard Assurance
• Mr Daniel Kwaku Afriyie, a veteran professional
• Ms Patience Dowuona Hammond, a former Director of West African Insurance Institute (WAII)
• Mr Mawuli Zogbenu, Head of Communications, NIC

In absentia were
• Ms. Lydia Lariba Bawa, a former Commissioner of Insurance
• Prof. S.N Woode, former Head of the Civil Service
• Mr Benjamin Acolatse, former Managing Director, SIC Insurance PLC
• Dr. Selby Ashong-Katai, former President of the CIIG
Others dignitaries who played diverse roles and were recognized were:
• Dr Aaron Issa Anafure, Managing Director, Quality Life Assurance
• Mr Larry Kwasi Jiagge, Managing Director, Risk Management Advisory Services (RMAS)
• Mr. Ivan Avereyireh, 9th President of the GIA
Other Resource Persons of the GIU who graced the occasion were:
• Dr. Kwaku Apietu-Ankrah
• Mr David Avor
• Mr Paul Ampadu Yeboah
• Mr Tawia Ben-Ahmed
• Mr Kofi Bafour Sencherey
Distinguished Award Winners
Overall best graduating student in Applied Insurance Studies (Diploma)
– Farhan Zuwmini Shamsudeen
Overall best graduating student in Applied Insurance Studies (Advanced Diploma)
– Adwoa Pinaman Acquah