CSBPD Hosts Comprehensive Facility Management Training

The Centre for Strategic Business and Professional Development (CSBPD) at GCTU has hosted a four-day training programme on facility management from 16th to 19th June 2025, at the Forensic Lab.

The training programme, attended by participants from various organizations, focused on enhancing facility management skills which would enable participants to achieve efficient operations, safety, sustainability and cost-effectiveness in their work activities.
In her opening remarks, the Director of CSBPD, Mrs. Araba Hackman Akanji, emphasized the importance of managing facilities effectively, stressing its impact on organizational performance, employee productivity and overall operational efficiency.

The training programme was expertly facilitated by the President of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Ghana Chapter, Mr. Sampson Opare-Agyemang. He explained that facility management is a multifaceted profession that is still emerging in Ghana. While many perceive it as merely a maintenance function, it encompasses a range of disciplines.
“A Facility Manager (FM) ensures the functionality of the built environment, prioritizing user safety, productivity, and the effective use of space and resources,” he remarked.

Mr. Opare-Agyemang covered the foundational aspects of facility management, equipping participants with strategies to improve efficiency, including the use of appropriate tools for specific tasks and sound financial management.
Emphasizing quality management, he noted the importance of FMs doing things right the first time and ensuring that task-related decisions are guided by reliable data and research.

According to Mr. Opare-Agyemang, FMs should continuously measure and improve performance by utilizing tools such as checklists, Pareto analysis and histograms. By leveraging these tools, FMs can identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to enhance performance. He highlighted the significance of sustainability and energy management in facility management, indicating that reducing energy costs is a significant challenge for organizations. Key points included:

• FMs must implement strategies to promote efficient energy use.
• Educate individuals on wise energy practices as crucial.

• Engage with vendors and service providers
• Develop and manage service level agreements (SLAs)
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations.

He further stated that effective contract management enables FMs to maintain high-quality services, mitigate risks and optimize facility operations.

In her closing remarks, the CSBPD Director, Mrs. Hackman Akanji, said that true education comes from applying and sharing knowledge with others. Additionally, she promoted GCTU’s programmes, ranging from Diplomas to PhDs, encouraging participants to explore further educational opportunities at GCTU. She extended her gratitude to the facilitator for imparting knowledge through the training programme and to the participants for their active contributions which made the training a success.

The training programme ended on a successful note, with participants receiving certificates as recognition of the completion of the training and newly-acquired skills in facility management.