Ethel Cofie Launches Boardroom Fellowship for Senior Executives Seeking Board Roles
Ethel Cofie explains why senior professionals need board exposure to transition into governance roles and launches a new fellowship programme.
Ethel Cofie, a leading Ghanaian technology executive and Chair of the ICT Sector Skills Board, has highlighted a persistent challenge facing senior professionals in Ghana: the difficulty of securing board positions without prior board experience. In a personal article published on MyJoyOnline, she explained that while many board opportunities require proven board experience, someone must first provide individuals with that opportunity. This paradox formed the foundation of the Boardroom Fellowship she has developed.
Drawing on her extensive experience in shaping Ghana’s digital education and certification frameworks, including leading the development of the country’s first AI curriculum and chairing the Technical Working Group on the micro-credential framework, Cofie emphasized that professional growth extends beyond knowledge acquisition. She noted that seasoned executives with two decades of leadership experience often lack the specific competencies needed to operate effectively in boardrooms, despite their professional achievements.
The Boardroom Fellowship is designed to address this gap through practical, real-world exposure. It will accommodate only 15 fellows and targets experienced executives, founders, and senior functional leaders transitioning into board service. The programme includes structured governance training, mentorship from seasoned board members, hands-on application exercises, and crucially, Board Observation – allowing participants to sit in on live board sessions with actual decision-making stakes.
Unlike simulations or case studies, this component offers direct exposure to governance dynamics where outcomes have real consequences. Applications for the inaugural cohort open on 27 October, inviting interested professionals to register via the provided link. The initiative reflects Cofie’s broader commitment to strengthening institutional capacity in Ghana’s corporate governance landscape through targeted skills development.
