The Country Lead/Global Research Director of Private Education Foundation Ghana, Prof. Samuel Lartey, says educational leaders have the responsibility to inspire hope, develop people and create institutions where excellence becomes a shared culture rather than an individual ambition.
He has, therefore, charged educational managers to embrace learning, innovation and collaboration, stressing that the future belongs not to institutions that resist change but to those that embrace learning, innovation and collaboration.
He said leadership for the next 60 years in any institution was no longer about commanding people but rather about inspiring people, its vision and leadership and building culture.
"Leadership creates environments where every individual can contribute their very best. Management ensures things are done correctly; leadership ensures the right things are done for the right reasons", Prof. Lartey explained.
Prof. Lartey made the remarks in his keynote address as the guest speaker at the 60th anniversary of the Ada College of Education in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region last Saturday.
He spoke on the topic: "Better together: Driving success through collaboration".
History
Ada College of Education, formerly known as Ada Training College, was established in 1965 as part of a national initiative to implement the Education Act of 1961, which mandated free, compulsory and universal training institutions for all school-age children in Ghana. The college was one of 35 post-middle teacher training institutions founded that year to support the government's vision of expanding access to quality education.
Currently, Ada College of Education is one of eight technical and vocational Colleges of Education affiliated with the Akenten - Appiah Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED).
The college is mandated to train educators in mathematics, science, technical and vocational disciplines, contributing to the national agenda for STEM and skills-based education.
Prof. Lartey, an alumnus of the 1988-year group, stated further that great institutions embraced differences because diversity enriched learning, adding that diversity recognised differences in culture, language, gender, age, religion, socio-economic background and experiences.
He further pointed out that educational research had consistently demonstrated that psychologically safe environments encouraged creativity, innovation, critical thinking and stronger academic performance, and Ada College of Education must, therefore, continue to create an environment where every learner and member of staff felt respected, empowered and inspired to contribute fully to the development of the college.
Prof. Lartey urged the students especially to prepare confidently for the future.
Principal
The Principal of the College, Prof. Prince Boateng, in his welcome address, said that as they celebrated the 60th anniversary, it was a moment to look back at their roots, evaluate their present state, and boldly declare their path forward urging alumni to support the college to sustian its legacy.
