LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMGHANA

CLASS2019

ABOUTLEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The Leadership Development Program (LDP) is a year-long trainingprogramme from December 2018 to September 2019 and was delivered byNkum Associates, a renowned management firm which is a leader inorganization and leadership development worldwide. The LDP was used to develop important competencies of beneficiary CSOswith the aim of increasing their legitimacy, mandate and sustainability in linewith the Foundation’s strategy to empower CSOs to thrive and leadtransformational and sustainable national development in the context of thechanging aid and development landscape in Ghana. Twenty-four (24) Civil Society leaders successfully graduated from theprogram in Ho, Ghana.

STAR-GHANA Foundation recognizes that it cannotrealize its vision without a strong civil society and newcadres of leaders in Ghana ---Ibrahim-Tanko AmiduPrograms Director, STAR-GHANA Foundation

MESSAGEFROM NKUM ASSOCIATES & STAR-GHANA

The Leadership Development Program seeks to raiseleaders for today who embrace multiple realities,difference, minority perceptions, who givevalue to what is not routine and bring into theirleadership the concept of wholism, where every partand segment of society is enabled to grow and becometheir best. This is a little different from the traditional leadershipprograms that seek to reinforce hierarchy, authority,power and direction, the paradigms thattraditional leadership models tend to use, pushingforward the leader as the agent of change rather thana facilitator who enables others to participate in theleadership act. ---Reverend John Nkum, Executive Director, Nkum Associates

class of 2019 LeadershipDevelopment Program

GHANA

REFLECTIONSALUMNI

Peterson Asare

I came into the LDP as a person afraid to lead. NowI have been empowered to become more agile,confident and more aware of myself. With this Iintend to deploy my presence in a useful mannerto make the right impact in society.

Moses Luri

My peak moment was when Reverend Nkum askedus to forgive those that hurt us. I like retaliation,pay back and I liked to be listened to before. Now lforgive and I listen more and I got to realise thatthere is wisdom in silence. I wept when Irecollected my past and I laughed when I noticedthe change in me. Is it Luri?

Adwoa Anima

There were several peak moments for me but thelecture on finding one's 'sweet spot' is one I willnot forget. Coming into the program I thought Iwas a leader but now I know I am the leader theworld currently needs. I'm inspired to makea difference.

Deborah Antwi

I use to be a result-oriented person, with littleconcern on building relationships at the workplace. I joined the LPD with an objective of gainingknowledge to help sustain my organisationfinancially. But no! That couldn't be all. Asleaders there is the need to build relationships aswell. Leadership today is not only by experience,certificates etc. but our ability to lead by keepingin mind the Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS).Today self-awareness is assured.

Hajia Dauda

With a curious mind and anxiety I came to LDP, Iwanted to know why leaders function the way theydo. I knew that holding the reins as the leaderdoesn't mean that you are right but how does asubordinate tell the superior that you are wrongwithout stepping on their pride/emotions.LDP has made me aware of the complexities ofhuman systems, diversities and how the use ofRSVP model combined with cycle of experiencecan get you to deploy yourself and thoughtswithout hurting others.

Gilbert Asante

Being a leader in our time is a complexresponsibility. Entering LDP I had in my ownway skewed leadership towards performance andresults. I had always said to myself a good leader isthe one who is result oriented and was workinghard to become one. Little did I know that wasonly the tip of the iceberg. I am now a leaderwith new perspectives. My crying moment was when I was discoveringmyself, little did I know how vulnerable I was.Indeed, the LDP has changed my world view onmodern leadership.

Bipuah Sulemani

I will for ever cherish the entire LDP experiencebut specifically what Rev. told me "Bipuah facultyhave observed that, though have conquered yourpast, you are still held back to your past. You havemade it, forget your past and enjoy your life tofullest "

Joyce Larnyoh

Formerly my leadership style was autocratic stylewhere I did not ask for views from staff. I onlydelegate through orders without consultingmembers of staff. There was lack of coordinationand mutual respect. Staff were always tense .However after undergoing the LDP training,noticed that a good leader should create the spacefor collective decision, effective communication,invest in their followers, show empathy, be fairand serve rather than be served.

Mohammed Awal

My new leadership style will be to take on board“people to where they do not want to go but if theyget there, they will want to stay”. My approach willbe, to see leadership more from the modernperspective by adapting and accepting modernways of leading.

Eunice Agbenyadzi

My greatest awareness is that leadership is afunction, and this function can be performed fromanywhere, and not necessarily from the 'front'.Additionally, leadership perceived from afunctional relationship perspective enablescollective leadership, which navigates changingcomplex systems.

Awal Kariama

I entered the LDP as a strong person viewing myself as not having a weakness nor vulnerabilitybecause I thought but was a sign of weakness andthat is an attribute of the founder leader I . Theprogramme made me rethink, reflected on how Iappeared and if I inspired or demotivated myteam. What made me cry is realising that intent ischeap, results is responsibility and reflecting onhow supportive the team have been. The 6 hearts,unit of work and Gestalt are my aha moments.

Cosmos Akorli

I am not able to put in words the change the STARGhana Foundation-funded LDP has created in me.Prior to LDP, I did not 'know myself' and thegroups I closely worked with. The program hasgiven me the skills to understand myself and theteams I work with, particularly how to transformconflicts at various levels for increasedorganizational performance. This new awarenessand many more will come in handy in my ability toeffectively coordinate individual efforts into acollective effort for desired results within myorganization and the larger society as a whole.

Dintie Sule

I came to LDP with a belief that a better leadermust have the ability to manipulate people tobelieve in his viewpoint, going through theprogram I have come to know that kind leadershipis short-time and true leaders agree to bevulnerable when the need be, lead from people'spoint of view, create awareness among teammembers to come out with solution amongthemselves not prescribing solutions for people. Iam happy when I see venerable people takecontrol of their own life.

Osman Luriwie

Coming into LDP my view of leadership waslimited to my core duty of delivering on theorganisations vision and all focus was on helpingothers to deliver performance. I also came in notrecognising how knowing myself is ciritical toleading myself. I shed tear narrating my personalexperience and struggle in life. But, I left LDP abetter person. I now know myself better. I nowunderstand how relationship affects performance.I appreciate the 'whole view' of things. I am now abetter leader.

Albertina Alipui

Being a leader before joining the LDP, l do notaccept criticism, always blaming people for mymistakes, not honest with myself and alwaysprocrastinating. Currently, l am adapting myselfto fully embracing a deliberate function as a leaderto adapt to a complex system where am ready toappreciate and have appetite for difference.What made me laugh was when l accepted that it isokay to be vulnerable as a leader, and what mademe cry is when l performed the ritual of self-presentation, “my life journey so far” to disclose lhad been living a lie.

Michael Takyi

I came to LDP thinking I know it all but after theprogram I agree with Socrates that "One thing inow know is I know nothing". LDP has made meaware of myself. I am making a deliberate effort tobe a leader that do not only think about results but adapt to the complexity of the systems we live in.

Justice Kumordzi

I was one to avoid conflicts in my leadershiprole before joining the Star Ghana FoundationLeadership Development Programme.Today I have come to embrace conflict as partand parcel of the leadership journey I'veembarked on. Diversity indeed enrichesproblem solving.I have seen a positive personal transformation andthat of others in this leadership developmentexperience and that will stay with me forever.

Safia Musah

Leadership is an opportunity to serve. When weget called, we have only one option – to be greatleaders. ‘’Good leaders must first become goodservants’’ – Robert K. Greenleaf. My appreciation of leadership hastransformed since enrolling into theLeadership Development Programme. TheGestalt approach has equipped me with thetools to view the world morecomprehensively, and to be a relevant leader.I went through a process of self-mastery, andprogressed to appreciate the complexities ofhuman systems.

Habib Haruna

I came to the LDP thinking that it was one of thoseprogram that emphasized the hierarchicalleadership order in organizations. That was awrong view. The LDP menu was rather somethingmore than that. It was an opportunity for selfdiscovery affirming the development sector that Ihave chosen to engage in, in spite of thechallenges of the sector. In short, my take away isthe experience that leadership is a function andnot a position.

Lamnatu Adam

LDP brought a lot of change in my life.The training mademe to reflect a lot about any action I want to takeespecially knowing of diversity and complexity of thepeople surrounding me. Before the training, my capacity around leadership was that of the traditional "straightjacket thoughts". My participation in this programmewidened my scope and made me realize my othercompetencies. Our collective moments of joy makes melaugh all the time and our individual stories of sorrowand challenges gives me more strength. I couldn't havebeen a better place than with you all including faculty!

Kasiru Shani

The leadership development programprovided me a platform for experientiallearning. I came into the program with theexpectations to improve my leadershipcompetencies which after the training periodhave even exceeded my expectation. In thatcommunity of learning was full of diversecompetencies to learn from. I came into theprogram as a reactionist leader who respondto emerging issues with little reflectionalways concentrating on outputs or results.

David Bagonluri

I realize my vulnerability as a leader when I join theLDP, I got to know that, I was not the only vulnerableperson as a leader. And also realised that myvulnerability has pushed me to get to where I havegotten to. With the support of my peer learning group,I got to understand my strengths and weaknesses, mypeer group supported me in all my endeavours andencouraged me to be strong. I was supported to realizemy strengths and also to turn my challenges intoopportunities. I developed the sense of love which Ishared with my team.

Emmanuel Mintah

The LDP has change my way of thinking and open tonew ideas as a leader beliefs attitude values and culturein the family and the organization .the gestalt theory hasalso help me to be self aware of my weakness and talent potential that can be developed to change self ,organization and society. l have to invest more timeresources to developed my self and strong teams in theorganization and adapt to any changing environment.

Ernest Armah

I learnt that leaders need to have a holistic approach toproblem solving. This involves validating theirperceptions to test if indeed it's reality; recognizing andacknowledging their blindspots, vulnerabilities andmistakes; that leadership is a function, not a position andit is also what you do when you are not the center ofattention. Finally, leadership also means followingsometimes. I seek to be an embodiment of these learnings.

JOHNMAXWELL

ALL LEADERSHIP ISINFLUENCE.

RALPHSTAYER

ANYTHING WORTHDOING,

IS WORTH DOING NOW!

WINSTONCHURCHILL

THE PRICE OFGREATNESS IS

RESPONSIBLITY.