The Directorate of Student Affairs (DoSA) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, has organised a two-day intensive training for newly elected student leaders.
The programme, designed to equip leaders for the 2025/2026 academic year, provided practical guidance to help them build resilience and prepare for the responsibilities ahead.
Director of Student Affairs, Professor Marian Asantewah Nkansah, urged participants to embrace the process of learning, unlearning and relearning as they take on their new roles.
“These days, student leadership has become a business where candidates are packaged and marketed.
Therefore, those who emerge as winners may not necessarily be the best fit for the job. This is an opportunity to learn about the role of student leadership and governance in the structure of the university. We are aware that some of you employed the services of managers to help you win this election,” she said.
Prof. Nkansah encouraged the leaders to maintain close relations with the Directorate, seek approval before embarking on projects, and avoid financial risks. “Visit the director’s office and all other relevant offices as often as you can.
The directorate exists to offer all the support students need to thrive. Under no circumstances will you use your position as collateral for loans to run your activities,” she stressed.
Deputy Registrar at DoSA, Dr. Paul Kwadwo Addo, advised the new leaders to familiarise themselves with the university’s statutes, administrative manuals and student guides.
He urged them to prioritise the collective interest of the student body over personal ambitions.
“Be very careful because this position can claim your certificates. Know your role within the administrative system and make yourself available. If you are selected to represent the student body, you are not representing yourself but the people. Presidents should make use of other potential student leaders,” he cautioned.
Dr. Addo further reminded them to serve as ambassadors of DoSA. “When students need information, impart it to them. Understand the service DoSA provides administratively and be ambassadors in your various units of service,” he said.
Former Dean of DoSA, Prof. William Gariba Akanwariwiak urged leaders to appreciate the systems within which they operate. He highlighted the need to understand key structures and roles, take responsibility, and innovate for growth.
“Help improve the system and don’t unnecessarily fight the system. We need innovations for continuous growth,” he noted.
Mrs. Theodora Oduro, Senior Assistant Registrar and Head of the Office of Student Support and Financial Services at DoSA, cautioned student leaders against ignoring the process of team building. According to her, many administrations collapse because leaders fail to nurture effective teamwork.
“Most student leaders begin so well, but before the end of the administration, they collapse. The teamwork is not working, but they have not gone through the process of building the team,” she observed.
She explained that teams must move through the stages of forming, storming, norming and performing, instead of rushing into performance without resolving early conflicts.
“People jump straight to performing, but until you deal with the forming and the storming, you cannot get there. They must allow the team to storm a little bit, to share ideas and disagreements, and then move forward together,” she added.
