Outgoing Provost of College of Health Sciences hands over to Incoming Provost
In a formal and significant ceremony held at the College of Health Sciences (CHS) on 23rd July, 2024, the then outgoing Provost, Prof. Julius N. Fobil, officially handed over the reins of leadership to the incoming Provost, Prof. Alfred Edwin Yawson. The event marked a pivotal moment for the College as it transitioned from one chapter of leadership to another, with both leaders expressing optimism for the future.
The purpose of the ceremony was to officially handover the office of the Provost, along with all necessary documents to the incoming Provost. Prof. Fobil, took this leadership approach to outline the procedures and processes he had implemented during his tenure. He emphasised that his tenure was successful owing to an effective team comprising the College Registrar and the College Finance Officer whom he believes will continue to support Prof. Alfred Edwin Yawson to ensure a smooth transition.
During the ceremony, Prof. Fobil briefly discussed the contents of his handing-over notes, highlighting the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability in the office of the Provost. He advised Prof. Yawson to seek the input of the College Executive Committee (CEC) on critical decisions and documents to avoid micromanagement and potential audit queries. This, he believed, was essential for fostering a collaborative and effective leadership environment.
Reflecting on his tenure, Prof. Fobil shared that his motivation stemmed from performing tasks and achieving tangible results. He stressed the importance of clarifying any anomalies within the College’s systems and committees to improve overall efficiency. He also proposed the need for effective mentorship programmes within the College, recognising the value of nurturing the next generation of academic leaders.
One of the significant initiatives mentioned by Prof. Fobil was an existing collaboration with the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) in Germany. Although this partnership had been temporarily halted due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Prof. Fobil expressed his commitment to reviving the collaboration, acknowledging its potential benefits for the College.
Prof. Fobil also addressed some financial concerns during the ceremony, particularly questioning certain expenditures and emphasizing the need to rectify any anomalies related to staff payroll. He pointed out the issues surrounding staff being paid from Internally Generated Funds (IGF) rather than the Government of Ghana (GOG) payroll, urging the new administration to address these discrepancies.
In a forward-looking statement, Prof. Fobil suggested that the outstanding arrears from the duplication of staff on the IGF payroll could be utilised either for the renovation of the Dental School building or to settle outstanding electricity bills. His recommendations underscored his commitment to ensuring the financial stability and sustainability of the College.
As Prof. Fobil concluded his remarks, he reassured the incoming Provost of his readiness to assist in any capacity.
Prof. Alfred Edwin Yawson, in response, expressed his gratitude for the smooth transition and his commitment to building on the foundation laid by his predecessor. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but remained confident that with the support of the College’s team, they would continue to achieve excellence in health sciences education and research.
In a gesture of goodwill and support, Prof. Fobil congratulated Prof. Yawson, wishing him success in his new role. He then formally submitted two copies of his handing-over notes to the incoming Provost, along with a soft copy version, ensuring that all necessary information was transferred comprehensively.
As the torch passes from Prof. Fobil to Prof. Yawson, the College community looks forward to a new era of growth, innovation and academic excellence.
