Immediate past Dean of the University of Ghana Business School, Prof. Justice Nyigmah Bawole, has urged senior administrative and professional staff of universities in Ghana to embrace change as a renewal rather than a disruption to tradition.
Speaking on Day One of the 2025 Registrar’s Management Seminar on the theme “Transformational Leadership: Inspiring Vision and Driving Change in Higher Education,” Prof. Bawole stressed that while tradition plays a vital role in academia, it should not prevent institutions from evolving to meet the changing needs of students and society.
“Universities thrive on tradition — it’s what we do best and what we want to be known for,” he said. “But our world today does not reward tradition, consensus, and autonomy. It rewards speed, innovation, and accountability. To drive change, we must understand this paradox: we must hold the past close to our hearts but be willing to challenge it to ensure progress.”
Prof. Bawole also called on the participants to redefine leadership by focusing on service and impact rather than routine administrative practices.
“When we return to our offices, we must tell our teams that we will not simply manage the past as it has always been managed — we will lead the future,” he said. “We should no longer measure success by how many memos we write, but by how many lives we make easier. We are stewards of the university’s soul, and service must be our signature.”
He further encouraged staff to cultivate excellence and integrity in their daily work.
“Let every office become a small laboratory of excellence, and every department a centre of ethical innovation,” he added. “The University of Ghana was built by visionaries who saw possibility where others saw dust. Now it is our turn. We must build a culture grounded in integrity, responsiveness, and hope.”
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Story by Kwadwo Owusu Anane | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
