Administrators and Professionals Charged to Put New UG Strategic Plan into Action at the 2024 Registrar’s Management Seminar
The Office of the Registrar has hosted the 2024 Registrar’s Management Seminar, themed, "From Vision to Reality: Administrators/Professionals Activating the University of Ghana Strategic Plan (2024-2029)."
The two-day seminar brought together senior administrators and professionals in the University to discuss the recently launched Strategic Plan (2024-2029) and deploy key tactics to achieve the overall vision of the University.
Host Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah highlighted the new UG Strategic Plan centres on five priority pillars, namely Transformative Student Experience, Impactful Research, Commitment to our Faculty and Staff, Engagements and Partnerships, and Sustainable Resource Mobilisation and Stewardship. She urged participants to develop actionable steps and performance indicators to ensure units ‘effectively achieve the Plan’s objectives.’
‘The theme underscores the collective effort required to advance the University’s goals over the next five years,’ she noted.
Mrs. Agyei-Mensah further stated that the seminar marked a significant step in aligning the University's resources and talents with its long-term objectives, fostering a collaborative environment for success.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (ASA), Prof. Gordon Awandare, representing the Vice-Chancellor, shared valuable insights on the importance of aligning administrative efforts with the University's Strategic vision. Prof. Awandare proposed some cross-cutting themes to guide the implementation of the Strategic Plan namely flexibility and innovation, inclusivity and sustainability.
He urged the University community to adopt a flexible mindset focused on innovative and effective implementation, while stressing the importance of ensuring inclusivity irrespective of race, tribe or gender. He charged participants to propose “durable solutions that withstand the test of time.”
Keynote speaker Dr. Joseph Asenso, Head of Macroeconomic Research and Studies at ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, emphasised the need for proactive engagement in the implementation of the Strategic Plan.
He noted that while different individuals may interpret plans differently, it is crucial to ensure everyone understands their role in the process.
Dr. Asenso highlighted several key elements for successful implementation, including vital communication for both development and execution, adequate resources and budgeting to ensure an effective plan support.
In earlier remarks, the Chairperson of the 2024 Planning Committee, Dr. Ezekiel Acquaah, commended members and other key stakeholders for weeks and months of hard work in ensuring that the seminar was well planned.
He underscored the importance of the seminar as a "catalyst for change" and emphasised the value of the in-depth knowledge shared by the speakers.
Dr. Acquaah encouraged attendees to engage actively, noting that the seminar is not only an educational event but also a valuable networking opportunity.
Dr. Collins Badu Agyemang, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychology and Director of the Pan-African Doctoral Academy, presented an overview of the Strategic Plan (2024-2029). He also focused on Organisational Citizenship Behaviors and the need for staff to commit to continuous learning. He further called for a unified approach to monitoring the progress of the Plan.
College Registrar at the College of Humanities, Mr. Benedict Fosu Adjei, reiterated the essential role of administrators in implementing the University's new Strategic Plan. He noted that translating high-level objectives into actionable plans will empower every staff member to contribute to the University’s overarching goals.
Senior Counsellor at the Careers and Counselling Directorate, Dr. Gladys Maame Akua Setordzie, discussed the importance of understanding and managing personality differences in the workplace. She explained that poor interpersonal relationships, often resulting from these differences, can lead to stress and mental health issues. Dr. Setordzie added that while diverse teams may face initial conflicts, effective management of these differences can enhance overall performance.
The seminar included interactive breakout sessions led by Mrs. Barbara Blankson, Senior Assistant Registrar at the School of Agriculture. Participants collaborated in groups to identify specific areas and objectives from the Strategic Plan relevant to their roles, developing actionable points to achieve them using a structured format. This was followed by group presentations.
A key highlight was the introduction of the UG Mentorship Programme to participants. This initiative aims to empower the next generation of administrative and professional leaders. The programme focuses on developing mentees' professional aspirations through the transfer of knowledge, skills and attributes, while preparing them for higher-level positions. The application window will be opened in January 2025 and the first cohort is expected to start in March 2025.