As part of the activities to mark their Professional Week Celebration, the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA), University of Cape Coast (UCC) chapter has organized a symposium for members of the association.

The symposium was part of GAUA's strategic efforts to help its members develop strong administrative competencies in their diverse specialized areas of work within the University administration.

The symposium was on the theme, "Good Corporate Governance and Ethical Behaviour in University Administration - the Role of the University Administrator."

The Vice-Chancellor, UCC, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, who was the guest of honour, stressed the critical role of university administrators in fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and excellence.

"The role of a university administrator extends beyond just modelling principles and values to students," he said.

"It encompasses the responsibility of ensuring good corporate governance, which involves transparent and responsible management of resources and the pursuit of a shared vision."

Guest of honour for the CPD, Vice-Chancellor, UCC, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong

Prof. Boampong further explained that "good governance is essential for building trust with stakeholders and the broader community." He also emphasized the importance of ethical leadership, which involves being transparent and making decisions in the best interest of students and stakeholders.

"Ethical leadership calls for encouraging open dialogue and active participation, creating a space where ethical concerns can be raised and addressed constructively," he added.

The guest speaker, Dr. Mrs. Victoria M. P. Kunbuor, the Registrar of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), highlighted the critical role of university administrators in promoting and practicing ethical behaviour on campus and beyond.

She noted that recent scandals in corporate and public institutions, including universities, have led to increased community awareness and demand for ethical behaviour from leadership and employees.

Guest speaker at the CPD, Dr. Mrs. Victoria M. P. Kunbuor, Registrar of GIMPA

According to Dr. Kunbuor, "University administrators have a crucial role to play in not only promoting ethical behaviour but also implementing it in their daily work. This included good documentation, record-keeping, writing proposals to improve work processes, coordinating projects, and organizing academic ceremonies among other responsibilities."

The Registrar of UCC, Mr. Jeff Onyame, in his closing remarks, emphasized the need for university administrators to establish effective ethical behaviour through clear policies, processes, and structures, and to be accountable to external stakeholders.

"Ethical behaviour is critical for university administrators in maintaining public trust," he stated.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC