Spotlight on HR Excellence: An Interview with OGBEMUDIA ABUNAW, a Leading Force in African HR

Welcome to another insightful edition of the Africa HR Forum, where we bring you conversations with some of the leading minds in Human Resources across the continent. Today, we are privileged to have Og ABUNAW, M.A HRM, PDC Harvard, CIPD-CP, SHRM-SCP , Head of People and Talent at Maviance PLC , a distinguished #Cameroonian HR professional and PhD candidate. Ogbe has proven experience in devising and implementing #HRStrategies aligned with business objectives to drive organizational growth, success, and sustainability. He is here to share his journey, the challenges he has faced, and his vision for the future of HR in Africa. Join us as we dive into his inspiring story and gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of human resources.

AHRF: Can you tell us about your journey into the field of Human Resources and what inspired you to pursue a career in this field?

Ogbe: My journey in this illustrious field of managing people has been quite enriching and challenging at same time. What truly inspired me is my interest in #PeopleManagement matters and my passion in handling “people issues” especially in Africa are all the drivers that propelled me in taking a career in HR.

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AHRF: ?As a seasoned #HR professional in Cameroon, what are some of the key challenges you've encountered in the HR landscape, and how have you overcome them?

Ogbe: Finding and retaining skill talents, developing training programs for employees which can be time consuming and costly. I have overcome them by putting in place a strategic plan and ensuring that #employees are consistently well-trained to perform their jobs perfectly.

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AHRF: How has your HR certification/ #SHRM enhanced your skills and capabilities as an HR practitioner, and how do you stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the field?

Ogbe: I can confidently say my certification has been instrumental in enhancing my skills and capabilities in HR, The SHRM #certification provides me with a solid foundation and Knowledge of HR, and staying up to date with latest trend and news in the HR industry.

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AHRF: ?What do you believe are the most pressing issues facing HR professionals in Cameroon and across Africa today, particularly in light of recent global events such as inflation, layoffs or the #COVID-19 pandemic?

?Ogbe: I will say HR professionals in #Cameroon and across #Africa are facing challenges such as managing remote work, ensuring employee well-being, navigating workforce restructuring, maintaining employee engagement, upskilling and reskilling #employees, and adapting to changing labor laws and regulations.

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AHRF: As an Africa HR Forum Influencer Leader, how do you envision the role of HR professionals evolving in the future, and what steps can be taken to ensure they remain relevant and effective in a rapidly changing world?

Ogbe: As an Africa HR Forum Influencer Leader, I envision the role of HR professionals evolving to become strategic business partners who drive organizational success through talent management, data-driven decision-making, fostering a culture of innovation and agility, promoting diversity and #inclusion, and championing employee well-being. To ensure HR professionals remain relevant and effective in a rapidly changing world, steps can be taken to invest in continuous learning, embrace technology and automation, develop strong leadership and communication skills, and stay informed about industry trends and best practices.

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AHRF: Can you share some of your most memorable experiences or achievements in your HR career so far, and how have they shaped your approach to HR management?

?Ogbe: Some of my most memorable experiences in my HR career include leading successful talent acquisition initiatives that resulted in hiring top talent, implementing employee engagement programs that boosted morale and productivity, championing diversity and inclusion initiatives that created a more inclusive workplace culture, and navigating organizational change processes with #empathy and #transparency. These experiences have shaped my approach to HR management by reinforcing the importance of empathy, communication, strategic thinking, and continuous learning in driving positive outcomes for both employees and the organization.

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AHRF: ?What advice would you give to aspiring HR professionals, especially those who are just starting their careers in Cameroon?

?Ogbe: For aspiring HR professionals in Cameroon, I would advise them to:

- Pursue relevant education and certifications to build a strong foundation in HR.

- Seek #mentorship and #networking opportunities to learn from experienced professionals.

- Gain diverse experience across different HR functions to develop a well-rounded skill set.

- Stay current with industry trends and best practices through continuous #learning.

- Demonstrate strong ethical values, empathy, and a passion for supporting and developing

people.

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AHRF: ?In your opinion, what are the key qualities or skills that every successful HR professional should possess, and how can they cultivate these qualities?

Ogbe: For Key qualities and skills that every successful HR professional should possess, I think I will include:

- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

- Empathy and emotional intelligence.

- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

- Business acumen and data-driven decision-making.

- Adaptability and resilience.

- Leadership and influence skills.

- Commitment to ethics and integrity.

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AHRF: ?How do you promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within your organization, and what role do you believe HR professionals play in driving positive change in this area??

Ogbe: To promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization, HR

professionals can:

- Implement diversity and inclusion training programs.

- Establish diversity recruitment initiatives.

- Create inclusive policies and practices.

- Encourage open dialogue on diversity and inclusion topics.

- Measure and track diversity metrics to drive progress.

- HR professionals play a crucial role in driving positive change in this area by

advocating for diversity and inclusion, leading by example, and embedding these

values into the organization's culture and practices.

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AHRF: ?As we celebrate and honor HR professionals across Africa, what message would you like to share with your fellow HR practitioners, and how do you envision the future of work in our continent?

?Ogbe: To keep wearing our HR professional hats with passion and not just a job we are doing, and I envision the future of work in our continent where employees would have the flexibility to the perform their jobs in and out of the workplace with the possibility of also attending to their personal/family commitments.

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Thank you for joining us for this enlightening discussion with Og ABUNAW, M.A HRM, PDC Harvard, CIPD-CP, SHRM-SCP . His journey and experiences highlight the critical role of HR in driving business success and employee well-being, we hope you found this interview as inspiring and informative as we did. Stay tuned for more conversations with thought leaders in the HR field, only here at the Africa HR Forum. Until next time, keep striving for excellence in your HR endeavors.

Happy weekend !

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