The School of Public Health (SPH) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Kumasi has concluded a two-week Strategic Leadership Seminar for about 120 Master’s and PhD students.
The program, which marks the final phase of their academic work, is designed to build their leadership capacity as future public health professionals.
Speaking at the closing session, Alhaji Dr. Mohamed Bin explained that the seminar brings together students from diverse specialisations, such as reproductive health, nutrition, disability studies and others, to explore core leadership principles and tools.
“This seminar gives them an introduction to what leadership is, so it can enhance their performance in their own fields, because leadership cuts across every discipline,” Dr. Bin said.
The training adopted an action learning methodology, which requires students to work in groups, identify real-world public health problems, apply the leadership frameworks and tools taught, and peer-review each other’s work under the guidance of facilitators.
Participants were taken through topics such as organisational frameworks, which focus on values, practices, and resources, as well as the STAR leadership skills (Strategic Thinking And Reflection), which cover mental models, systems thinking, team learning, shared vision, and personal mastery.
They also explored how to lead change using the “guide for action” approach, which begins with a desired future vision before moving into root cause analysis, strategy design, implementation, and accountability.
In addition, they examined how to build learning organisations where all stakeholders actively participate and link action to learning.
Through six structured exercises, students worked on projects addressing issues including sanitation, plastic waste management, disability inclusion, and preventing blindness.
Each group presented their projects with facilitators assessing their work based on clearly outlined criteria.
Alhaji Dr. Bin Ibrahim, a former Regional Director of Health Services with over 30 years of experience, noted that the seminar draws heavily on practical experience to prepare participants to lead effectively at various levels of the health system.
“We are confident that wherever they find themselves, they will be useful to their organisations because they now have the principles, frameworks and tools of leadership,” he said.
He commended the students for their efforts throughout the 10-day seminar. “You’ve proved that you are all leaders, keep it up, and always link the learning with action,” he told them.
The seminar was facilitated by Prof. Easmon Otupiri (Lead Coordinator), Alhaji Dr. Mohamed Bin Ibrahim, Prof. Henry Opare-Addo, Prof. Alexander Odoi, and Prof. Kwabena Danso.
