Sunyani, Feb 12, GNA – A total of 107 students have graduated from the College for Community and Organisational Development (CCOD), an affiliate of the University of Development Studies (UDS).   

     They pursued diploma, bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programmes in Organizational Development (OD) and Private Sector Development and Advocacy.   

     About 90 fresh students were also matriculated to pursue newly introduced programmes in Executive Mastery for Organisation Development and Appreciative Leadership (EMODAL), Appreciative Leadership and Executive Coaching (ODCC), and Organisational Development Certified Professional.   

      Other programmes include Community and Organisational Development Social Initiative (CODESI), Appreciative Leadership and Resources Mobilization (ALARM) and Appreciative Project Development, Execution and Management (APDEM) at the various campuses of the College.   

     Speaking at the 4th congregation and matriculation of the college held at its main campus in Sunyani, Dr Gabriel Gbiel Bernakuu, President, said the CCOD was established in 2011 with only 12 students but had graduated 57 students in 2018, 77 in 2019 and 91 students in 2021.   

     He said OD programmes had the capacity and potential to create enabling environment for high work performance and productivity that could improve the country’s fortunes.  

    Dr Benarkuu said the College had developed and rolled out major policies to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, including staff welfare and condition of service to enhance dialogue and ensure agreement on salaries and wages, hours of work, career growth, support systems, rules and ethics and other conditions of employment.    

      « In our new strategic plan, we hope to mentor 200 students to be on their own. Arrangements have been made to operate in 55 communities in the country with development partners, communities and our students.”   

      »The communities will share their resources with students and students will share the OD entrepreneurship », Dr Benarkuu stated.   

      Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister, urged the institution to develop academic-driven programmes that met the needs of industry and advised the graduates to make maximum use of the opportunity gained.    

      She asked the College to rebrand its curricula to cover general disciplines and socio-cultural values to help instil a high sense of morality and discipline in the future generation.   

      Mad Owusu-Banahene gave the assurance of the government’s commitment to creating enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.