Accra: The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has inducted Mrs. Phyllis Nketia as its new Director of Administration. The induction ceremony was held alongside the CSIR's Thanksgiving Service at the forecourt of the CSIR-Water Research Institute (WRI) in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Nketia outlined a bold transformation agenda for the institution, emphasizing her vision to reposition CSIR's administrative function as a strategic pillar supporting scientific excellence, institutional sustainability, and national development. Addressing management, staff, and invited guests, she expressed her profound gratitude, humility, and a deep sense of duty, underscoring the decisive role administration must play in enabling research outcomes that effectively respond to Ghana's development needs.
Mrs. Nketia paid tribute to her predecessor, Mrs. Genevieve Yankey, acknowledging her guidance, support, and direction during her years of service at the CSIR Head Office. She emphasized that CSIR holds a critical place in Ghana's national development architecture, with its scientists and researchers producing innovations and technologies addressing national challenges. Mrs. Nketia stated that her role, and indeed the role of administration, is to ensure that this critical work is supported by strong systems, responsive structures, ethical governance, and a motivated workforce.
She elaborated on her vision to reposition administration not merely as a support service but as a strategic force that enables research excellence, institutional sustainability, and organizational pride. Her administrative reform agenda is anchored on four pillars: administration as a strategic enabler, operational excellence as a culture, employee welfare as a priority, and proactive change management as a leadership imperative.
Mrs. Nketia explained that the administrative function would be deliberately aligned with the CSIR Strategic Plan, the CSIR Act 521, and the Council's corporate governance framework, moving beyond routine transactional roles to become an active partner in achieving the Council's mandate. She highlighted the importance of reducing administrative bottlenecks to allow scientists to focus on impactful, demand-driven research for national development.
Operational excellence will define her tenure, with systems strengthened to enhance efficiency, transparency, responsiveness, and accountability. This includes improved integration of human resource management and information technology and the effective utilization of national platforms such as HRMIS and GIFMIS. Mrs. Nketia emphasized that operational excellence is a culture that requires discipline, continuous improvement, and a shared commitment to doing things right the first time.
On employee welfare, she described staff as CSIR's greatest asset and pledged strong advocacy for improved morale, inclusive workplace practices, and strengthened welfare systems. Structures such as the Counselling Unit and the Gender Desk will be enhanced, alongside sustained investment in capacity building and professional development.
Addressing change management, she noted that administrative leadership must be agile and forward-looking. She stressed the need to anticipate trends, embrace innovation, and manage transitions in a structured and inclusive manner, stating that while change is inevitable, progress is a choice.
The induction ceremony formed part of the 11th CSIR non-denominational Thanksgiving Service, hosted by the CSIR-Water Research Institute (WRI). Dr. (Mrs.) Ruby Asmah, the Deputy Director of the Institute, described the occasion as one of gratitude, reflection, and renewal, acknowledging CSIR's progress through perseverance, collective effort, and committed leadership.
Dr. Asmah expressed appreciation to the CSIR Board of Directors, management, directors of various CSIR institutes, invited guests, and staff, describing CSIR as a family bound by shared purpose and institutional pride. As part of the Thanksgiving activities, an offering was taken to support the Korle-Bu Cardiothoracic and Dialysis Centre, and a minute of silence was observed in honor of departed CSIR staff, followed by prayers for their families, national peace, and development.
Mrs. Nketia, reaffirming her commitment to collaborative leadership and institutional excellence, expressed appreciation to the management and staff for their consistent support and confidence in her. She believes that together, they can strengthen CSIR's legacy as Ghana's premier research institution and ensure that administrative systems match the excellence of its scientific output.