GCTU Ladies Association kicks off Official launch event
The official launch of the GCTU Ladies’ association officially kicked off in grand style on Wednesday, 31st August, 2022. The main agenda for the first day of the 3-day launch programme was an inspirational seminar which was held against the backdrop of a beautifully organized breakfast.
Dr. Afia Nyarko, the Vice-President of the Association, set the ball rolling as she welcomed those gathered and emphasized the importance of the event. Dr. Nusrat-Jahan Abubakar, the Ag. Director of the University Relations Directorate and GAUA President also gave a Goodwill message to the Association. She extended her congratulations and spoke about her excitement regarding the upcoming Inauguration, emphasizing the fact that, “there is finally a vehicle to champion the welfare and forward movement of the ladies in the organization”.
The President, Mrs. Susan Aryee, then gave an insight into the purpose of the programme and also took the opportunity to speak in glowing terms about the guest speaker. She informed members of her long-standing personal relationship with the speaker and how it was an easy choice to call on her to deliver the seminar on such an important topic.
The Guest speaker for the seminar, Dr. Mrs. Ernestina Novieto, herself a member of the University of Ghana Ladies Association, delivered an excellent talk on “The importance of uniting women at the workplace”. She spoke candidly about the need for all members of the association to place a high value on the importance of unity, particularly by ensuring that all women are made to feel that they are a significant part of the association, regardless of their status, rank or position.
She also emphasized that mutual respect would engender a positive environment, stating, “Unity will allow everyone to be inspired and learn from each other and mutual respect will foster a spirit of learning”. She espoused the critical role that women have to play in the University, and she advised members to ignore any dissenting voices regarding the association and what it seeks to achieve.
Dr. Novieto alluded to the array of challenges that the association could potentially face; while also providing strategies which could be employed to alleviate some of them. Among others she spoke about the potential to lose focus, a challenge which she advised could be mitigated through the avoidance of cliques and factions within the association. She also pointed to the fact that while divergent views or conflict could emerge, it is important to ensure that “conflict is not ignored and there shouldn’t be a tendency to pretend that everything is okay when there are issues”. Finally, Dr. Novieto admonished members against developing a dependence or over reliance on certain individuals within the association, advising that a successful association would only be built on strong teamwork and collaboration.
Bringing her address to an end, Dr. Novieto reiterated the importance of togetherness as she quoted Mother Teresa, who said, “I can do things you cannot do and you can do things I cannot do, but together we can do great things” She encouraged members to continuously work together and she stated her hope and belief that the GCTU Ladies association would grow from strength to strength and achieve all its aims and objectives.
Without a doubt, the first day of the launch programme proved to be an outstanding success and the strong participation and enthusiasm of the members certainly paid credence to the fact that the association has a very promising future ahead of it.
We congratulate our Ladies and wish them all the best!
