Student Leaders Empowered With Leadership Skills And Knowledge
The Office of the Dean of Student Affairs has held a two-day leadership seminar on November 4 and 5, 2024, at the Video Conference Centre on the main campus.
The seminar brought together student leaders from various groups to enhance their communication, leadership abilities, and essential skills for effective campus leadership. The event specifically targeted student leaders who offered themselves for voluntary leadership roles.
The Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo, gave an insightful presentation titled “Communication for Effective Leadership. ” He highlighted the critical role of clear, concise, and compelling communication in helping leaders achieve their vision. He emphasized that effective leaders should be able to influence and inspire their followers to take action. Mr. Baidoo also stressed the importance of mindful communication, noting that words carry both emotional and physical impact. This, he said, underscores the need for leaders to choose their words carefully and consider their emotional resonance.
The Director of Research, Innovation and Consultancy, Prof. George Kofi Amoako, discussed “Negotiating with Advantage.” He noted the critical role of student leaders in representing their constituents, noting that they must represent not just themselves but the students who elected them. Prof. Amoako outlined key principles for effective negotiations, namely, approaching negotiations with fairness, transparency, strong analytical skills to read and understand situations. Others include understanding what is available and what you can realistically achieve, focusing on adding value, considering how your decisions will benefit students and capacity to balance competing interests. “By embracing these principles, you will become skilled negotiators, championing the interests of your fellow students,” he said.
A Senior Lecturer in the Department of Accounting, Banking, and Finance at the Business School, Mr. Peter Lawer Angmor, spoke on the topic “Accountability and the Audit Process.” He described the audit process as a systematic and thorough review of an organization’s activities, records, and budgets. Mr. Angmor outlined the main stages of this process: planning (defining the audit’s scope and objectives), execution (collecting and examining evidence), reporting (documenting findings and noting any discrepancies) and follow-up (ensuring that any recommended actions are implemented to maintain trust).
Mr. Angmor emphasized that accountability is essential to effective leadership, defining it as the responsibility and answerability for one’s actions and decisions in addition to being transparent and collaborative in responsibilities.
An officer from the Dean of Student Affairs, Mrs. Rachel Opoku, discussed “Office Procedures and Practices,” stressing its importance in fostering efficient and organized work environments. She explained that by establishing clear guidelines, organizations can create a culture that promotes productivity, professionalism and growth.
An officer from the Guidance and Counseling Unit, Mr. Kingsley Kumah, explained that the unit provides students with confidential, non-judgmental support from trained professionals to help them achieve personal, academic, and career goals.
Earlier at the seminar, the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Michael Nana Owusu-Akomeah, underscored the significant responsibilities that come with student leadership, going beyond titles and prestige. “Student leadership is not about pride, but about responsibilities. Lead by example, prioritize academic excellence, demonstrate integrity in both words and actions and inspire others through exemplary conduct,” he advised.
