CED calls on executive, administrative professionals to reposition for future of work

The Centre for Executive Development (CED) has called on executive and administrative professionals to shift their focus towards becoming strategic partners to organisational leadership in the changing landscape of work. At the Executive and Administrative Leaders Roundtable 2026 in Accra, the CED's Executive Director, Mrs. Abigail Ampontuah-Yeboah, emphasized that the conventional view of these roles as purely task-oriented must evolve if the profession is to remain relevant in the future.

The Roundtable, themed "Executive Support 2030: Leading Through Innovation, Influence and Impact," gathered professionals from various fields, including human resources, governance, and executive support, to discuss the evolving demands of the profession. Mrs. Ampontuah-Yeboah stressed that the executive support professional of tomorrow should possess strategic thinking abilities, embrace innovation, demonstrate sound judgment, and showcase measurable impact.

She further argued that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and automation should not be seen as a threat, but rather an opportunity for these professionals to transition from routine tasks to higher-value responsibilities. To achieve this, Mrs. Ampontuah-Yeboah recommended investing in continuous learning and developing competencies in digital technology, strategy, governance, project management, communication, and relationship management.

The CED has already trained over 200 professionals through international certification and executive development programmes, with a commitment to professionalizing executive support through training and continuous professional development. Employers were urged to prioritize the development of executive and administrative professionals, as their growth can enhance leadership and improve organizational performance.

By empowering these professionals beyond traditional administrative roles, organizations can strengthen governance, improve communication, coordinate projects more effectively, reduce operational risks, and boost overall productivity.