Introduction
The Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI) is a subvented agency under Ghana’s Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR). Established on October 26, 1967, through a collaboration between the Ghanaian government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), MDPI succeeded the National Productivity Centre (NPC), which had been part of the Planning Commission since June 1964. Incorporated as a parastatal by Legislative Instrument (LI) 1077 on July 2, 1976, the institute was officially handed over to the Ghanaian government in 1977 after the conclusion of the joint sponsorship.
Mandate and Objectives
MDPI’s core mandate is to enhance productivity across Ghana’s agricultural, industrial, and service sectors. Its primary objectives include:
- Promoting increased productivity in various economic sectors.
- Introducing effective management practices and techniques to clients.
- Elevating management standards at all organizational levels.
Organizational Structure
The institute comprises four technical departments:
- General Management
- Marketing Management
- Financial Management & Management Information Systems
- Industrial Engineering & Productivity
These departments collaboratively offer services in management training and development, consultancy and advisory services, business and management research, and productivity studies.
Leadership and Recruitment
While specific details about MDPI’s leadership hierarchy and recruitment processes are not explicitly provided in the available sources, as a subvented agency under the MELR, it is likely that leadership appointments and staff recruitment adhere to public sector protocols and regulations in Ghana.
Collaborations and Achievements
MDPI has a history of impactful collaborations. Notably, it partnered with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to implement the Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) program. This initiative led to significant improvements among participating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including:
- Up to 76% of firms reported cost savings.
- Up to 61% experienced a reduction in product defects.
- Up to 47% achieved reduced energy and water consumption.
- 51% noted a decrease in worker complaints, 43% saw reduced absenteeism, and 45% reported increased wages.
- A 40% reduction in workplace accidents was observed.
Constitutional Reforms
The institute’s establishment and operational framework were solidified through Legislative Instrument (LI) 1077 in 1976, which incorporated MDPI as a parastatal entity. This legislative foundation defines its constitutional role and mandate.
References
- https://www.mdpi.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-mtpa.pdf
- https://www.mdpi.gov.gh/2024-score-programme/
- https://www.mdpi.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2023-mdpi-management-training-programme.pdf
- https://www.mdpi.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2022-MGT-TRG-PROGRAMME.pdf
- https://www.melr.gov.gh/4/4/16/21/management-development-and-productivity-institute-%28mdpi%29
- https://www.ghana.gov.gh/mdas/dff0d32920/
- https://www.devex.com/organizations/management-development-productivity-institute-mdpi-29725