UPSA trains 35 traditional leaders in governance and development

Thirty-five traditional leaders from across Ghana have graduated from specialised leadership programmes at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), aimed at strengthening the role of chieftaincy institutions in local governance and community development. The chiefs, queen mothers and traditional administrators completed a five-day intensive course at the Otumfuo Centre for Traditional Leadership (OCTL), with a graduation ceremony held on Friday, 12 December 2025, at the Kofi Ohene-Konadu Auditorium in Accra. The training programme forms part of UPSA’s efforts to build the capacity of traditional authorities to contribute more effectively to development planning, conflict management and social cohesion at the local level. Participants received practical and academic instruction in leadership and management, land administration, conflict resolution, negotiation for development and records management. Some of the graduates met the requirements for the award of diploma certificates under their respective programmes. Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of UPSA congratulated the graduates and urged them to put their newly acquired skills to use in their communities. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting the chieftaincy institution, noting that UPSA continues to develop innovative training programmes and undertake applied research, often in partnership with organisations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The Acting Director of OCTL, Dr Gerald Nyanyofio, said the centre had trained more than 100 chiefs, queen mothers and staff of traditional councils since its establishment. He stressed that traditional leaders play a critical role in Ghana’s democratic governance and socio-economic development, adding that closer collaboration between traditional authorities and formal political institutions was essential for sustainable national progress. On behalf of the graduating class, participants thanked UPSA for the opportunity and pledged to apply their training in the service of their communities, while encouraging other traditional leaders to enrol in future programmes. By VOU News