The Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, has called on traditional, religious and political leaders to embrace change if Ghana is to build a strong leadership base that will transform the country and continent at large.
“We have three institutions in our country: traditional, religious and political. If leadership is to take place, these areas should be open for the kind of change that it takes. If we are going to speak a language that will gain the respect of the world and also be able to build the hope and confidence of our future generations, let’s not fear change. Let us embrace it and let us allow true leadership of all shapes and forms to occur within our institutions.
“If we want to participate and contribute to change and betterment of the world, then we have to move from outmoded structures and not be afraid to embrace what is new. Even though we are not used to it, with time it will grow in us.”
Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey I was speaking at the launch of the Drolor Centre for Strategic Leadership of the University of Professional Studies, Accra.
The traditional leader, who is also the chair of the centre said: “We have improper training for the next generation, and most of us don’t have mentoring structures in place to support those who are behind us. There have been instances when there has been failure to pass on the baton, and we have lived so long with outdated mindsets.
“It is true in many quarters that we fear change, and as a result of this many citizens within our continent lack confidence and trust in the old leadership.
“I believe there is a solution. Africa has great potential. It is the lack of proper leadership that is hindering and holding us back. But by investing in leadership development of our youth and literally penetrating the areas of our greatest concerns, we can fix this problem once and for all.”
The Drolor Centre for Strategic Leadership was conceived to provide the requisite leadership needed to transform the continent.
Africa has been described as the last frontier. It is the second-largest continent and the world’s oldest populated area. It has 54 independent countries with a 1.1 billion population that is estimated to double to 2.3 billion by 2050.
Africa also has the largest reserves of precious minerals and approximately 30 percent of the earth’s remaining minerals. With a budding young population, of which about 50 percent is under 25 years of age, the continent has yet to experience the kind of development proportionate to its endowed resources.
“We have vast resources and untapped potential. For so long, Africa has been the first to be ignored and the last to be recognised. The Drolor Centre for Strategic Leadership is here not because it knows it all, but it is actually trying to offer help in any way necessary.
“Our mission is to develop leaders with the requisite social capital — leadership skills and competences with strategic partnership, networks and academic development and social skills to make a difference on our continent,” he said.
Professor Goski Alabi, Dean of the Graduate School of the UPSA, in an address said the Drolor Centre for Strategic leadership is set up to provide executives, politicians and senior managers with leadership skills for leading change and making a difference in the 21st century.
“It will also provide a system of understanding for the important concepts of leadership and strategy, but more importantly teach how to create and deliver value for constructive and necessary change.
“It will offer personal grooming and a development programme for African leaders to assert their rightful places in the world economy and undertake applied and actionable research to enhance leadership on the continent,” she said.
The opening of the Drolor Centre for Strategic Leadership follows the official inauguration of the Centre for Public Accountability at the same university this year.
Source: BFT
