Ebow Bannerman’s Book on Consultancy Practice launched in Accra

The Consultant, a book that comprehensively talks about the practice of consulting as a profession has been launched at a colourful ceremony in Accra.

It was written by Dr. Ebow Bannerman – a renowned consultant with many years of practice and experience and published by Smartline.

A retired justice of the Supreme Court, Professor Justice Darteh Baah who performed the launch described the book as a practical guide on consultancy practice in Ghana as it draws on the author’s experience in several African countries, the United Kingdom and Singapore.

Those who have already accessed the book have also described it as a good resource for professional consultants and students aspiring into consulting.

A renowned economist, Kwame Pianim, who reviewed the book, described it as a must-have for every smart consultant who wants to excel in his or her profession.

“The Book talks about consultancy in its entirety, its impact, the joy in practicing it among others. It contains useful appendixes of documentations that any consultant needs. It is a must-have book. I wish I had it 50 years ago when I started practicing my career,” Mr. Pianim stated in his review remarks.

“I recommend this book to anybody who has a Joint Venture business with another person, anyone who has a business transaction with another person, students and all stakeholders. I learnt a lot while reviewing this book. I am already expecting a sequel,” he added.

The book comes as a tool to make the works of consultants easy. It has details on negotiations and how to do report writing. It also consists of very useful documentations that every consultant needs to function.

“In this book, Ebow showed us how to be a good consultant both domestically and globally and we appreciate him for doing that. One of the things he touched on in the book was how consulting can add to Ghana’s GDP. He took examples from India and said if government is able to give works to our consultants then they can also go out to Southern Africa, Europe, make money and bring the money home.

“The book gives you templates and examples on how to negotiate. If you are going to work for the African Union or the European Union, or even for the World Bank, it gives you templates, how to plan your workload, how to negotiate your field, your contract and how to sign off. It tackles projects planning and consultancy and how they merge, among others,” Mr Pianim remarked further.

According to Dr Bannerman, the idea of putting his thoughts into a book is to teach and motivate young consultants. He was grateful to his family, friends and past colleagues for lending him the needed support throughout the process that has finally birthed ‘The Consultant’.

Forward to ‘The Consultant’ is written by Chinery Hesse. The first copy of the book was bought by the former Managing Director of Stanbic Bank, Dr Alhassan Adani at a cost of GH¢10,000.

SYNOPSIS

Consider this book the ultimate ‘How To’ compilation on a work area that has become extremely popular and lucrative in recent years – Consulting. The content of this book reflects the Author’s personal and professional consulting experience spanning over forty years, on work that has taken him to various African countries, the United Kingdom, the USA and Singapore. This book’s primary objective is to share the experience of a seasoned professional to promote Consulting as a vocation. It can truly be described as a manual and a set of guidelines for all Consultants. It particularly targets aspiring and young practicing individuals in the field.

The Author, Dr. Joseph E. Bannerman, describes his work journey so far with his firm, Plan Consult, as exciting, full of dynamic encounters with a host of professionals from different backgrounds, government ministries, departments and organisations within both the public and private sector. His work has resulted in new and reviewed policies of various national sectors to the greater advantage of the beneficiaries of his expertise, of which he is most proud.

The structure of this Book adopts a ‘Project Planning Approach’, that the author calls ‘The Consulting Cycle’ and reinforces its credentials as one’s go-to ‘How To’ directional guide on Consulting. The arrangement of the chapters reflect the rich life experiences of the Author and follows his journey step by step to organically take the reader through advancing progressively in their consulting career.

THE AUTHOR

Joseph Ebow Bannerman is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Plan Consult, a firm of Development Planners and Management Consultants based in Accra, Ghana. He holds a Master of Science degree in Regional Planning from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, a Postgraduate Diploma in Regional Development Planning from the Settlement Study Centre, Rehovot, Israel and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Ghana. In 2007, the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa).

Ebow Bannerman’s consulting practice has taken him to many countries in Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Europe and Asia.

He is a Fellow of the International Centre for Research and Training in Major Projects Management, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a Fellow and Past President of the Ghana Institute of Planners and a Past President of the Ghana Association of Consultants. He is currently a Board Member of the Brussels based International Consulting Alliance (ICA).

By Jeorge Wilson Kingson