The Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) Professor Christian Agyare, has urged student leaders to prioritise student welfare, uphold financial accountability and pursue initiatives that deliver lasting benefits.
He made the call during an engagement with executives of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG-KNUST) and National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS-KNUST Local).
Professor Agyare encouraged the leaders to identify priority needs, develop sustainable initiatives and work together to address challenges affecting students.
“You need to leave a legacy that will make others that will come next say they will emulate or improve on it,” he said.
He stressed the importance of prudent financial management, transparency and planning, urging the executives to keep expenditure within available resources and account regularly for funds entrusted to them.
He also encouraged them to honour the trust placed in them by the student body and ensure their decisions reflected students’ broader interests.
“Remember that you have been called to serve the student body and this calls for more sacrifice and commitment,” he said.
The executives raised concerns about pedestrian access on campus, accommodation and finances. They also called for scholarship opportunities for international graduate students and expanded academic exchange programmes with African universities.
Professor Agyare said discussions with relevant stakeholders were underway and expressed his intention to address the concerns to improve campus mobility and student welfare.
He proposed an accountability dialogue series to engage student leaders on issues affecting the student body.
“As management we are open, and we will work collaboratively with you to achieve your ambitions,” he said.
Professor Agyare reaffirmed the importance of sustained engagement with student leaders, highlighting mentorship and collaboration as essential to effective leadership and a smooth transition to life beyond their roles.
The Director of Student Affairs (DoSA), Professor Marian Asantewah Nkansah, encouraged the leaders to mentor their peers and develop their talents.
“As we mentor you, you should be mentors of your peers. You can be good at something so distinguish yourself.”
She said a committee was working on arrangements to support student leaders as they leave office and that the Vice-Chancellor would be briefed on the next steps in due course.
“We should be looking forward to a structured programme to usher them out at the end of their tenure,” she said. “Have it at the back of your mind that the university is committed to helping you ease yourself into normal life after having ascended leadership position and how other strategies on how you can cope and means of nurturing your talents.”
Story: Eunice Asare
