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Ghana needs futuristic, patriotic, and selfless leaders who will harness the country’s resources to build a strong and developed nation that offers hope for current and future generations.
Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, the President of the Ghana National Association of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practitioners, made the call at the graduation ceremony of 106 participants, including chiefs, from three Executive Master’s programmes at the GNAT Hall in Accra.
The programmes, offered by the Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies (IPLS), included: Professional Executive Master in Alternative Dispute Resolution,
Professional Executive Master in General Paralegal Studies, and Professional Executive Master in Chieftaincy Law and Development Studies.
Mr Owusu-Koranteng, a trade unionist, mining advocate, and human rights activist, noted that although Ghana was blessed with abundant resources and a vibrant population capable of driving sustainable development, the missing link was leadership that instilled honesty and patriotism in the citizens.
“What is lacking in our national life today is a leadership culture that places the national interest above personal gain. We must use our God-given resources and talents to develop our nation,” he said.
He commended the Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies for running courses that equipped professionals to contribute meaningfully to society and urged the graduands to become advocates of peace, honesty, patriotism, and the ethical principles of the ADR profession.
“It is my belief that you will use your influence and the positions you occupy to actively participate in transforming our nation,” he said. Mr. Owusu-Koranteng cautioned them not to join the ranks of leaders who collaborated with foreign interests to exploit Ghana’s resources to the detriment of future generations.
“I charge you to go out and contribute to peacebuilding and the overall development of our nation. Be peacemakers and proud citizens who will not sell their conscience and country for a pittance,” he added. Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, Associate Professor at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, said effective conflict resolution was essential to nation-building.
“When conflicts are resolved, they create stability, which in turn attracts investment,” he said, urging graduands to use their expertise to promote social cohesion. He called for the establishment of conflict resolution clubs in schools, churches, and workplaces to ensure harmony.
Mr Alex Nartey, a lawyer and founder of IPLS, observed that conflicts arose in homes, workplaces, churches, and communities, yet Ghana lacked sufficient mediators to assist in resolving them.
He called for an urgent need to train and equip conflict mediators with relevant skills to foster cohesion and productivity. Mr Nartey noted that Ghana’s courts also lacked mediators to support the ADR system effectively. He expressed delight that chiefs, being key agents of change, had taken advantage of the training to build their capacity in contemporary conflict resolution.
Mrs Afua Brown, Rector of IPLS, noted that more than 200 people graduated from the institute last year, who were not only equipped with technical skills but also emotional intelligence to handle conflicts constructively.
Source: GNA
