THE DYNAMIC STORY On 31st July, 2009, I attended my first orientation as a fresher who was given an unpopular program to study in the premier university. Infact when calls started coming in from my close pals who had main stream courses it got be further confused whether to take up this course or not. On August 5 2009, I made my final decision to enroll on the Distance Education Program of the University of Ghana which was just 2 years old on campus. Indeed I have never regretted becoming a DE student because its flexibility gave me enough room to improve upon other areas of my life. There were countless of challenges confronting this program when I came in. Infact some of them were really discouraging until after sometime when we started to see some of the problems improve. The Distance education program has thought me so many values some of which I would share in this article but first of all I would like to thank the almighty God for how far he has brought me in my academic life and again guiding me through a challenging journey as a DE student. My life as a level 100 and 200 student on campus was well known, I had a lot of close pals who were my course mates, roommates and study mates but I was relatively well known on main campus more than the DE community in my level 100 and 200 days. The popular nickname I had in my level 100 days was “RICKIE” I fully took an independent decision to run for the DESAUG presidency in my level 300 first semester because true leadership is not just talking about your legacy and what you can do but rather living it. On June 9, 2012, with the help of a solid Dynamic Team, I won the DESAUG elections to become the next DESAUG president with 84% valid vote cast, a record of which is yet to be broken. Many were those who knew what I was capable of and what I was already doing. I must admit I had some flaws and challenges as a president but all things been equal I set a standard for this association which is still enviable today and was the first of its kind in the DE fraternity. I am proud I did and will always be. How I see my DESAUG now is not how I was seeing it during my days. The vision the Dynamic Team had for DESAUG when we took the mantle is not the vision I am seeing now. What has changed? When I came to power, my main motive was to run a government involving all well-meaning colleagues to help put the association on better footing. I stood strongly for unity, for the first time in the history of the association we had all the standing committees established and working for the good of the association. One thing which ought to be understood is that, most of these committees were never in existence therefore it was very difficult for them to learn from previous committees. In all these, most of them did a tremendous job and once again I am proud of that. Personalities like Frank Amponsah Darko, Jeremiah Lartey-Brown, Abdul Musah Mucaz, Kennedy K. Nyardzie, Ama Bediako Donkor, Michael Ocloo, just a few to mention put me on my toes and I will never forget your efforts in my regime all the days of my life. People who are close to me know me to be someone who has a Passion for Growth. I know too many people who suffer from what I call “The Destination Disease.” They’ve identified a certain career position or financial goal they want to reach, and then they work very hard to achieve that goal. But once they get there, they stop working hard and growing. This mindset creates two problems for leaders. First, it causes them to stall. You’ll stop improving the moment you lose the tension between where you are and where you have the potential to be. Second, it sets a bad example for their followers. Think about it: How many people in your current circle didn’t see your former self, the one who fought hard to achieve? If you’re resting on your laurels, they’ll assume you are doing what you’ve always done and follow suit. If you feel yourself slowing down, it’s time for a self-assessment. If you’re done working, retire and get out of the way of your business. But if you stay, you must keep striving. If you slacken, your people will do the same Why I am saying all these? DESAUG is now suffering from “The Destination Disease” This disease is highly contagious. The association is really in crises because better standards and growth were expected as time passes by but what do we see? You need to wake up, wake up brothers and sisters because so far as you are a DE student, matters DESAUG affects you. Lack of unity, selfishness, visionless leadership, negative attitude towards DESAUG, greediness, pettiness, unteachable spirits, arrogance and inexperience are the major symptoms of this disease that DESAUG is suffering from right now. To keep it from taking hold, the association needs to set new, higher goals, flash out selfish and greedy personalities especially from its governing body, draw a strategic plan for future generations and make sure DESAUG is put back on track of becoming a force to fight for the welfare of the students. Let’s challenge our challenges until we see them change. It’s a surefire way to keep our organization humming. Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes. As Harry Truman puts it; Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. Nonetheless I still believe in DESAUG. I still see the Dynamism we left in most of the guys we worked with, I still see potential leaders hovering around and I pray that members of this honorable association will put up the best attitudes towards DESAUG and most of all put men of courage and with vision in leadership positions in generations ahead to make DE a better place to be. I am doing very well in business after school and I hope to visit DESAUG once a while to share some thoughts and motivate the upcoming business minded people to do well in the business field. I am graduating today with a joyful heart. A 4 year journey I am proud of, my last year as a president thought be so many values and lessons that has shaped my life and has made me a better person. It has made be stronger and enhanced my life. Take not of some of the values that have changed my life till today! • Never step into an unplanned day • There are no limits to your potential except those you place on it • When all you focus on is what you don’t have, you will lose what you do have • Be yourself always, don’t let society push you around • Spend more money on assets not liabilities • Not all mates can be friends, choose your friends • You won’t achieve the fullness of your potential if you sit on the progress of others In Conclusion, I want to encourage all DE students to remain focused and steadfast, because the end result is self-rewarding and much satisfying, as it gives a sense of fulfillment. Let the Sky be your limit when it comes to academia as in these post-modern times, we subscribe to what is called life-long learning. Above all, never forget the God factor in your life. In all your getting, get God first and be prayerful. Never ever value your dreams, ideas, assets, business, skills or talents based on your current circumstances, lack of knowledge or desperation. Value what you have today based on what you see in the future and not what you see now. To my core Dynamic team members, Abdallah M. Jalal-Deen (My Vice), Frank Amponsah-Darko (My Treasurer), Judith Quaye (My Secretary), Eugenia Owusu Siaw (Vice secretary) and Simon Kumah (Organizer) I say kudos and congratulations for your graduation Today. And to my dear ones still in school, dont sell yourself short. Never put the keys to your happiness in someone elses pocket. Be fully determined to make it in your academic journey. Be robust and have strong conviction to change your world. God Bless You! Bernard Agyei Aryee writes… 29th March, 2014
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 10:08:29 +0000
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