The seminar brought together representatives of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), Engineering Students Association (ESA), Business Students Association (BSA), Ghana Muslim Students Union, Assemblies of God Campus Ministry, National Union of Presbyterian Students and other student groups.
Held under the theme, “Empowering Visionary Leaders, Shaping Tomorrow’s Change Makers,” the seminar formed part of the University’s efforts to develop the leadership capacities of student representatives and prepare them to serve effectively during and beyond their academic journeys.
The Chair of the GCTU Governing Council, Ing. Divine D. K. Kpetigo, urged the student leaders to cultivate punctuality, time consciousness and discipline, describing these qualities as essential attributes of effective leadership.
He encouraged them to demonstrate commitment to student concerns, prioritise hard work and avoid excessive complaints, while aligning their activities with the University’s vision.
The Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Ruhiya Abubakar, emphasised the importance of understanding leadership roles and responsibilities, particularly the need to exercise emotional intelligence in dealing with others.
She urged the leaders to listen attentively, manage disagreements calmly and avoid allowing anger to influence their decisions, stressing that their primary responsibility was to serve the interests of their fellow students with diligence and dedication.
On accountability and financial management, Senior Lecturer at GCTU, Mr. Angmor Peter Lawer, underscored the need for transparency in the management of resources entrusted to student leaders. He urged them to ensure that their expenditure was properly documented and their use of resources accounted for to their colleagues and the wider University community.
A Deputy Registrar of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consulting (DRIC), Dr Kwame Owusu Afram, highlighted the importance of preparation and informed decision-making in negotiations. He advised the student leaders to research issues thoroughly, develop alternative proposals and adopt strategic approaches to effectively advance the interests of the students they represent.
The Dean of the GCTU Business School, Prof. Emelia Amoako Asiedu, called for collaboration, fairness and mutual respect among student leaders, noting that effective teamwork and respect for individual responsibilities were essential to achieving common objectives.
Similarly, the Director of Academic Affairs, Mrs. Araba Hackman Akanji, cautioned against the abuse of authority and encouraged the leaders to maintain open and effective communication, even when disagreements arose.
The Director of University Relations, Dr Nusrat-Jahan Abubakar, also warned against using leadership positions for personal gain, urging the student representatives to prioritise the needs and welfare of the students they serve.
The Student Groups Officer at the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, Mrs. Rachel Opoku, encouraged the participants to strengthen their collaboration with University Management and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the University’s vision.
The seminar also covered leadership concepts, communication for effective leadership, problem-solving and managing challenges, office procedures and practices, accountability and audit processes and effective negotiation skills.
