Twenty-three members of The Gambia’s National Assembly arrived at Heritage Christian University (HCU) to participate in an intensive 10-day professional development programme, highlighting the university’s growing reputation as a hub for executive education and governance reform in West Africa.
The visit, organised through HCU’s Centre for Professional Studies, and sponsored by the Central Bank of The Gambia, brought together sitting legislators from the National Assembly of The Gambia and some of the university’s most experienced faculty. The programme, carefully designed around the practical realities of modern governance, reflects a partnership that extends beyond traditional classroom learning. It further positions HCU as a credible and strategic partner in institutional strengthening across the sub-region.
Why This Matters
Hosting parliamentarians from the West African sub-region for professional development of executives is significant and reflects a high level of institutional trust. For a university grounded in Christian values and academic excellence, this also highlights the broader role higher education can play in shaping public leadership beyond national boundaries.
What the Parliamentarians Learned
The programme’s curriculum was intentionally practical and tailored to the evolving demands of legislators. Rather than offering a generic management course, HCU structured sessions to address the real challenges legislators face from public financial oversight to navigating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
The training focused on four core areas:
- Ethical Leadership and Strategic Decision-Making
- Ethical Governance and Accountability Frameworks
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and its Implications for Public Service
- Productivity models
- Public Finance for Non-Finance Professionals
Each module combined expert-led instruction with interactive workshops, ensuring participants gain not only theoretical insights but also practical tools applicable to their legislative responsibilities.
The Facilitating Team
The programme was facilitated by a distinguished team drawn from HCU’s leadership and faculty:
- Dr. Samuel Twumasi Ankrah – President, HCU
- Prof. Williams Abayaawien Atuilik – Vice President & Provost, HCU
- Mr. Samuel Ayim – Council Chairperson, HCU; CEO, CTL Africa; John C. Maxwell Certified Leadership Coach
- Mr. Kwaku Adu Nuamah – Director, Centre for Professional Studies, HCU
- Dr. Alexander Ekow Asmah – Director, Centre for Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy and Ethics, HCU
- Dr. Kingsley Ofosu Ampong – Head of Department, Business and Technology Innovation, HCU; Artificial Intelligence Expert
Looking Ahead
This initiative forms part of the Centre for Professional Studies’ broader strategy to expand its executive education portfolio and strengthen partnerships across Ghana and the wider West African region. HCU, through the Centre for Professional Studies is looking forward to providing more of such programmes for corporate bodies and government officials across Africa.
For more information on HCU’s professional development programmes or institutional collaborations, please contact the Centre for Professional Studies
