ODSA Organises Capacity Building Workshop for Newly Elected Student Leaders
The Office of Dean of Student Affairs (ODSA), has organised a three-day leadership training workshop under the theme, “The Student Leader as Part of University Management: Responsibilities and Cautions”, for newly elected student leaders.
The workshop took place at the Royal Lee’s Hotel, Tutu-Akuapim in the Eastern region of Ghana.
Addressing participants at the workshop, the Dean, ODSA, Prof. Ernest Kwasi Amponsah, pointed out that student centredness is one of the main drivers of the current Management of the University and it explains its deliberate focus on policies, actions and activities that promote students’ business and welfare. As such, every other staff has to align to the vision of Management.
“For me, it’s non-negotiable as the head of the office that takes care of students. And so, everything we do at the office is tailored towards the benefit and welfare of students. It’s the reason we’ve gathered here to build your capacity as student leaders so that you can discharge your duties with confidence and ease.
“The University isn’t under any compulsion to organise the workshop but because it’ll enure to your benefit as student leaders, we have decided to do it,” he averred.
He stated that the student leaders had been assembled in a cool, cosy and serene environment, away from their everyday busy routine, to be oriented on various aspects of leadership sine qua non to their development and success as leaders.
Prof. Amponsah reminded participants that once they were chosen as student leaders, they became an integral part of the University Management with huge responsibilities as such. He explained, therefore, that it is the more reason a platform such as this workshop was necessary to help student leaders face with confidence the responsibilities that lie ahead of them.
He expressed delight at being able to take this year’s programme a notch higher with the support of the Management of the University. The Dean of ODSA was full of gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni and his Management team, for agreeing to put all the newly elected student leaders in a very fine hotel to orient them on leadership skills for their work.
“Orientation for any person getting into a new office can’t be underestimated. That’s why ODSA is always ready to allow students to build themselves through the workshop so that before they kick start, they know what’s ahead of them, the challenges and how to position themselves to be good leaders,” he said.
He implored participants to make the most out of the opportunity availed them at the workshop.
The workshop which focused on various aspects of leadership saw topics such as “ The Student Leader as Part of University Management: Cautions and Responsibilities”; “Branding Oneself as a Student Leader”; “Social Media Presence: The Student Leader“; “Managing Students as a Student Leader” and; “Channels of Communication for Student Leaders”.
Others were “Maximising the ODSA Facility as a Student Leader”; “Building a Vision as a Student Leader”; “Leadership Versus Keeping your Body in Shape”; “UEW Policies for Postgraduate Students: The Salient Points in the GRASAG Handbook” and; “The SRC Constitution: The Salient Points”.
The workshop was also graced by seasoned facilitators, who bought insight and perspective to the aforementioned topics. They were the Lead facilitator, ODSA, University of Cape Coast, Prof. Eugene K. Marfo-Darteh; Director, Institute for Teacher Education and Continuing Professional Development, (ITECPD), UEW, Prof. George Dandy Dampson; Dean, ODSA, Prof. Ernest K. Amponsah; Vice-Dean, ODSA, Ajumako Campus, Dr. Kwasi Adomako; and Chairman Amalgamated Sports Club and Games, Dr. Kwame Kyere Diabour.
Others were the Vice-Dean, School of Creative Arts, UEW, Dr. Samuel Manasseh Yirenkyi; Vice-Dean, ODSA, Dr. E.T. Amanor-Lartey; Vice-Dean, ODSA, Dr. Juliana Daniels; Lecturer, Department of Theatre Arts, Mr. Godfred Asare Yeboah; National President of GRASAG, Ms. Heartwill S. Tamakloe; and Former SRC President, UEW, Mr. Issaka Akudugu.
