The Private Universities Students’ Association of Ghana (PUSAG), has organised its annual leadership summit aimed at re- engineering the minds of student leaders to take up responsibilities as well solve problems in the society.
The Summit, on the theme: “What is your exist Legacy as a 21st Century Leader,” registered more than 100 participants representing members of the Students Representative Councils within the various private universities across the country.
Dr Gertrude Quashigah, President of the Major Courage Quashigah Foundation, noted that leadership is about acting with integrity, persuading others to follow, creating a culture of openness, having discipline, communicating clearly, and forging relationships built on mutual confidence.
She said with the 21st century leadership, leaders should focus on the basics, prioritise, create a sense of urgency, make decisions and act, “while the core elements of leadership don’t change the tools of leadership and the techniques for training leaders can change”.
Dr Quashigah noted that the greatest legacy a leader could leave is to develop other leaders.
She said she had spent 18 years teaching and training leaders in her company; from all walks of life and nearly a hundred countries.
Dr Quashigah recounted that she had trained and employed more than 200 people, and had deeply invested in human resource development; the best legacy one could leave.
She said the 21st century presents many new challenges to both employees and business leaders; whereas in an interconnected, fast moving world; there is a need to learn cognitive flexibility, stress tolerance and divergent thinking.
She noted that while technology “could make us more effective, new theories of leadership emphasize the importance of trust and establishing long-term relationships”.
“In a competitive world we need leaders with novel ideas, who are willing to take risks, inspire and motivate and build new strategic partnerships to address global challenges,” she said.
Dr Quashigah said there is no short cut to success, and therefore, tasked student leaders that as young professionals there is a possibility of growing old gracefully in their chosen profession and the benefits are definitely rewarding.
Mr Richard Odame, National President of PUSAG, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said it is important for student leaders to prepare themselves as future leaders in order to take over the mantle of leadership.
