The UHAS Students’ Representative Council, on November 1, successfully inducted newly elected federal and provincial SRC executives, as well as local executives of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) into office at a colourful ceremony at the Main Auditorium, North Campus (Trafalgar), Ho. The UHAS SRC has, for almost a year, been without elected officials, and the peaceful elections and subsequently smooth handing over of the mantle of student leadership was a welcome sight.

His Excellency Abraham Norman Nortey, the new SRC Federal President, in his induction speech, acknowledged the confidence that the students had reposed in him and his team and assured the audience that he was going to operate an open-door policy and accept all thoughts, suggestions, constructive criticism, and contributions in good faith. He added that the SRC under his leadership would be beyond intimidation and influence from any quarters of power.

In his final speech as out-going acting SRC Federal President, Mr. Harris Richard enumerated some of his team’s remarkable achievements, including liaising with Management to provide an increment of data allocation to ensure Internet connection and facilitating early release of results, among others.

Mr. Divine Kporha, former SRC President, who was a special invited guest, recounted the challenges he had faced as a needy student and a student activist, and charged the new team to strive for positive relations with the university authorities. At the same time, he also pleaded with the Office of Student Affairs to allow the students room to exercise their leadership skills without undue interference in student activities.

Mr. David Adzovie, Director of Human Resources, who chaired the event, spoke on the theory, canons and nuances of leadership, cautioning the new leaders to stay humble and willing to serve. He also urged them to seize such opportunities to develop their leadership skills for future endeavours.

Mrs. Maria Gwira, Director of Public Affairs, on her part advised the leadership of the SRC executives to “pick your battles, set your course and don’t deviate too much from it” and not be distracted by so much activism that they lose sight of their primary objective as students, which is to graduate in order to wield actual power in the real world.