Accra: Mrs Abigail Ampontuah-Yeboah, the Executive Director of the Centre for Executive Development (CED), has urged executive and administrative professionals to reposition themselves as strategic partners to organisational leadership, as Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and digital technologies reshape the workplace. She emphasized that the traditional perception of Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Office Managers, and other administrative professionals as task-oriented support staff must change to remain relevant.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs Ampontuah-Yeboah was speaking at the Executive and Administrative Leaders Roundtable 2026 in Accra, held under the theme, 'Executive Support 2030: Leading Through Innovation, Influence and Impact.' The roundtable gathered executive support professionals, human resource practitioners, governance experts, professional bodies, and organisational leaders to discuss the evolving demands of executive and administrative support.
The event featured contributions from leaders and representatives from the HR Certification Centre, National Association of Professional Secretaries and Administrative Professionals Ghana, the West African branch of the Chartered Governance Institute, and the Association of Executive Assistants-Ghana, among other stakeholders dedicated to advancing professional standards. Mrs Ampontuah-Yeboah highlighted the need for future executive support professionals to possess strategic thinking, sound judgment, innovation, and the ability to demonstrate measurable value to an organisation.
She urged that AI and automation should be seen as opportunities for professionals to move beyond routine tasks and take on higher-value responsibilities. As technology assumes repetitive administrative duties, professionals will increasingly be required to provide uniquely human capabilities, including emotional intelligence, discretion, critical thinking, effective communication, and relationship management.
Mrs Ampontuah-Yeboah encouraged continuous learning and the development of competencies in digital technology, strategy, governance, project management, communication, and organisational performance. She stressed the importance of taking ownership of career development to prepare for greater responsibility, influence, and leadership within organisations.
Reaffirming CED's commitment to professionalising executive support, she noted that the Centre had trained over 200 professionals through international certification and executive development programmes. She called on employers to invest in the professional development of executive and administrative staff, highlighting the potential for improved leadership and organisational performance.
Empowered beyond traditional duties, executive support professionals can contribute to stronger governance, improved communication, effective project coordination, reduced operational risks, and increased organisational productivity. Mrs Ampontuah-Yeboah concluded by stating that CED would continue to provide platforms for professional learning, networking, knowledge sharing, and career advancement to equip executive and administrative professionals with the necessary competencies to become trusted strategic partners.