Round Square Africa Regional Conference in Ghana

June 27, 2018 | Boys’ College | Author: Ms Callie Fields, Director: Leadership

THEME: LEADERSHIP IN THE SERVICE OF AFRICA

What an extra ordinary privilege it was to attend the Round Square Regional Africa Conference in Ghana. Hosted by the International Community School in Kumasi.

I was accompanied by two boys representing the Boys’ College, Gabrielle Naidoo (Grade 11) and Marcel Sithole (Grade 10). We were also joined a delegation from the Girls’ College. The programme was superb and we were lucky enough to be exposed to innovative brilliant speakers with our College students asking pertinent and insightful questions.

Dr Patrick G Awuah Jr is the founder and president of Ashesi University and he spoke candidly about the need for strong Leadership on the African Continent.

Here are some “take aways” from his talk:

  • Africa needs to catch up with the rest of the world - We need to have a restlessness about us and dissolve the boarders
  • We need to have difficult conversations about ethics and what constitutes a good society
  • Leaders need to change the status quo by asking question about what ought to be rather than what currently is.
  • We need to pay attention to creativity, compassion and courage - they are a university without walls – they see humanity not differential.
  • We need to ask how we use the new technologies to truly leap frog and lead the world
  • We need to prepare the new generation to become inventors and builders of things
  • We need to teach solving problems, ambition without pride and arrogance but with humility.

Fred M Deegbe is an entrepreneur who Runs “Heel the World” – a manufacturing company who creates prestigious shoes. He is a graduate of Ahesi University.

Here are some “take aways” from his talk:

  • Leadership is not fancy
  • Good leadership is firm
  • Good leadership is NOT
  • Being popular, having the ideas or  having the money
  • Leadership in Africa need to think long term, progressively and inclusive.
  • Challenge young people to ALWAYS be in problem solving mode, move from talk to walk
  • The Most important predictor of success is mind set, curiosity, courage and having
  • fun.

Finally Mrs Gifty Anti (an ace journalist and the Owner of GDA – a company which addresses womens issues in society through talks shows) and her father –in – law, Kwaku Sintim – Misa (a well-known stand-up comedian and host of the KSM show) made up a superb duo who touched on issues such as Identity, feminism, gratitude and the technological age . They encouraged uniqueness and the need to “create a chain of hands and lead in the service of Africa“.

We were taken on extraordinary, informative trips to the Manhyia Place where we learnt about the history and traditions of the 10 Ghanaian tribes, their chiefs and the past and current King. We visited the Kakum National Park and learnt about this unique Rain Forrest whilst walking on swinging bridges in the treetops and finally we confronted the horrors of 400 years of slavery at the Cape Coast Castle.

This experience has left an indelible mark on both myself and the boys.

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