UG Launches ‘Resilient Minds Future Leaders’ Project at 2025 DCODED Show to Champion Mental Wellness

The University of Ghana has launched a new initiative, the Resilient Minds Future Leaders project, to promote mental wellness across campus and reinforce its commitment to a holistic student experience.

The project was officially launched during the 7th edition of the DCODED Show, an annual event organised by the Careers and Counselling Centre in collaboration with global healthcare leader, Johnson & Johnson. This year’s edition focused on mental health awareness, with particular attention to schizophrenia and the broader conversations around psychological well-being.

Speaking at the launch, the Pro Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Gordon Awandare, reaffirmed the University’s dedication to creating a supportive environment that nurtures both the academic and emotional well-being of students.

“Our commitment to a transformative student experience goes beyond academics,” he noted. “Mental wellness is an essential part of that journey and initiatives like Resilient Minds Future Leaders are crucial to equipping students with the support they need to thrive.”

Prof. Awandare referenced the internationally recognised Friendship Bench initiative as an example of how simple, everyday conversations can have a profound impact on mental health support, especially in academic settings.

The launch event brought together students, health professionals and mental health advocates to engage in open conversations and share experiences. Participants lauded the University’s proactive approach to mental wellness and expressed optimism about the potential impact of the new project.

The Resilient Minds Future Leaders initiative is expected to roll out a series of campus-wide activities and interventions that build awareness, reduce stigma and provide peer-led mental health support for the student body.

This effort aligns with the University’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan, particularly its priority area of delivering a Transformative Student Experience and further reflects the institution’s commitment to faculty and staff, engagement and partnerships, impactful research and sustainable resource mobilisation.