ACBF Launches LEAPS Programme

The Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) has launched its Leadership Excellence in Africa’s Public Sector (LEAPS), a programme designed to equip public sector workers within the financial sector. 

With several initiatives aimed at enhancing capacity development in Africa, the ACBF has, under the Enhancing Leadership and Governance in Public Financial Management (ELG-PFM) in Africa programme, introduced the programme to enhance the skills of public sector workers.

The LEAP programme which was launched in Ghana on November 19, 2024, is expected to expand to other African countries including Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal.

The LEAP programme is expected to provide professional and academic training in regulations to support regulatory regimes in Africa’s public sector.

Addressing the attendees at the launch, the Director of Programmes, ACBF, Mr. Mbacke, stated that the obstacles faced by Africa in recent times, which includes the complex fiscal landscapes, global economic pressures, and the need for responsive governance, requires that the senior staff in the financial sector across Africa is duly equipped with both technically skills coupled with soft skills and workable human qualities.

According to him, the skills that will be acquired from the LEAPS programme are needed to drive alter, deliberately focusing on Vision ownership; sustain integrity, promote ethics, create adaptability, empathy, accountability, collaboration and problem- solving and negotiation skills which will help in placing Africa on the pedestal of economic transformation.

Mr. Mbacke said, “The LEAPS programme stands as a beacon for what our public service can achieve. This initiative, which is a first of its kind, focuses on the development of soft skills of technically affluent senior government officials, making it more than a training programme- but a catalyst for building the kind of leadership Africa needs to drive sustainable development, achieve financial resilience, and realize our shared vision for an empowered continent.

The self-paced virtual school being established will contain modules on developing individual leadership skills, collective team leadership, leadership in organisation, and leadership within the PFM ecosystems, as well as how the various organisations can collaborate to realize PFM reforms.

Further addressing the first cohort members, Mr. Mbacke maintained that, the introduction of the LEAPS programme is a commitment to the future.

“As you embark on this journey, I urge you to embrace the chance fully, with a commitment not only to your growth but to that of your institution and country. Together with other LEAPS alumni, you will build a network of leaders equipped to tackle the obstacles of tomorrow and create a legacy of stability, transparency, prosperity, and hope for all Ghanaians,” he added.

Kobina Darlington/