The School of Allied Health Sciences (SAHS) has held a handover ceremony with a call on the newly appointed Heads of Department (HoD’s) to make their staff a priority.

Speaking at the function, the Dean of SAHS, Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong, advised the new office holders to be fair to all in their respective departments.

“Be ready to apologize when you go wrong because it takes strong people to apologize,” he entreated them.

Prof. Omane Acheampong urged them not to take things personally but stand firm to defend decisions they take in their line of duty.

“Criticism is part of the work we do, so don’t be surprised if people criticize you for your actions as a leader,” he charged them.

The Dean told the new office holders to profile their staff properly in order to know their strengths and weaknesses adding, “this will help you to assign them duties appropriately”.

At the ceremony, Prof. Richard Kobina Dadzie Ephraim, took over from Prof. Alex Azuka Ilechie as the Vice-Dean.

Prof. Kobina Dadzie Ephraim also replaced Prof. Isaac Dadzie as the new Head, Department of Medical Laboratory Science.

The outgoing Heads of Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Department Optometry and Vision Science Prof. Stephen Ocansey and Prof. Alex Azuka Ilchie respectively handed over to the Dean Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong who will take temporary responsibility until substantive heads are appointed to the two departments.

Dr. George Ghartey Kwansah, took over from Dr. Alex Boye as Coordinator of Department of Sports and Exercise Science.

In his address, the Dean, Prof. Desmond Omane Acheampong, congratulated the newly elected office holders. He also commended the outgoing heads for the remarkable successes chalked during their tenure at their respective departments.

Touching on the individual achievements of the outgoing heads, Prof. Omane mentioned that during the tenure of Prof Dadzie, he defied all odds to set up and procured substantial state-of-the-art equipment for the laboratory to facilitate practical sessions at that the Department of Medical Laboratory Science.

Turning to Prof Ocansey, the outgone HoD of Department of Physician Assistant Studies, Prof. Omane Acheampong said he secured a space at the New Lecture Theatre and transformed it into an ultramodern laboratory as well as creating offices for the department in the same building.

In addition, he said Prof. Ocansey acquired a school bus for the Department. “Prof. Ocansey consolidated and solidified the Department by creating two units in the department, and this signifies the hallmark of a great leader who will go beyond his comfort zone to ensure that things are in place for his followers” Prof. Omane Acheampong added.

Continuing, the Dean of SAHS said the outgone HoD of Optometry and Vision Science, Prof. Ilechie who was also the Vice-Dean of the School supervised the establishment of an Eye Clinic at the Cape Coast Technical University.

“Prof. Ilechie expanded the Department by even converting his office as part of the Department’s clinic at the Science Complex. He is indeed a passionate and hardworking leader,” Prof. Omane Acheampong remarked.

Prof. Omane Acheampong thanked Dr. Alex Boye for his efforts in sustaining the Department of Sports and Exercise Science during his tenure.

Staff members of the School of Allied Health at the ceremony

He urged the new Coordinator Dr. Ghartey Kwansah to intensify enrolment drive to increase the number of students in the Department.

On behalf of the new office holders, Prof. Ephraim, said they would be committed to their duties to ensure that their respective departments in particular and the School in general become one of the best in the University and beyond.

Prof. Isaac Dadzie who spoke on behalf of the outgone office holders mentioned that their tenure of office gave them the opportunity to make some impact in their respective departments. He also entreated the new officers to build on their achievements to move the School to a higher pedestal.

Prof. Dadzie reminded them to follow-up on letters to ensure quick responses from Management and other offices in the Central Administration.