ASSDA Outgoing President Handing Over Speech

Mr. Chairman, outgoing executives, incoming executives, invited guests, ladies and gentlemen I am very much appreciative of the fact that I’m here today, to deliver my last official speech as ASSDA President of this noble Association. I must say we wouldn’t have come this far as an ASSDA administration if not for the never ending grace of God. 

The Hand-over notes which I now present, contains programmes and activities of my Administration for the period – 2015-2016 academic year. Mr Chairman, fellow learned executives and colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen. The name of the Lord be magnified for His awesome grace which has been manifest in the running of affairs of ASSDA by the 2015/2016 Executive Council. About a year ago we assumed the mantle of leadership of this noble association, which I admit was a great task. But knowledge of the Lord’s word gave us confidence to start the race. During our tenure of office, we faced a number of challenges which we believe were greater, by the grace of God, however, we safely arrived at the finish line and crossed it successfully.

We would like to first of all acknowledge and appreciate our beloved Patron, Dr. Gideon Kofi Agbley, formal HOD, Dr. John Gasu, current HOD Dr. Eliasu Alhassan as well as all lecturers who have been of tremendous support (spiritually, financially, and socially) in our individual lives and collectively as an association and has shown fatherly/motherly affection and who in spite of your busy schedules within and outside campus, made time for us each time we called on them, we say ‘thank you’. Our prayer is that the Lord/Allah will continue to keep you all. We are grateful to you all and we appreciate everything you have sacrifice for ASSDA, wherever you are, may God/Allah richly bless you and replenish all you’ve lost in triplicates.

To you our loyal members, our brothers, our sisters, words indeed cannot express our gratitude to you. Hence we say anytime the cock crows till we live this earth know that it is the ASSDA 2015/2016 Executive Council Board that is saying thank you and God bless you for your support and patience towards us. We appreciate them very much.

I appreciate the support we received from management of the department, student populace, and friends. I would have loved to mention names but the list is unending. On behalf of all the executives, I say’ we are grateful for your guidance and unflinching support.  My abled team of committee heads, deputies and members, you have done yeo man’s job. I am grateful and honoured that you whole heartedly worked with me and it has been a success

Our tenure of office was characterised by a mixture of new and old tasks and activities. The association organised its first ever business seminar and to the glory of God it was an impactful one, although patronage was quite low leading to a negative financial impact. Mr. Chairman, fellow learned colleagues and executives, we came into office last year, on 21^st  of June 2015 and we in all regard upheld our promise that, ‘we won’t fail you”. We do not wish to bore you with a long list of these activities for you were witnesses to them all but kindly permit me, Mr. Chairman to outline our achievements as ASSDA EXECUTIVE BOARD for the 2015/2016 academic year in the following areas:

1.      ASSDA members were given souvenirs with each student receiving: 7 ASSDA exercise books, 1 Good Luck Polo T-shirt digitally embroiled, 1 pen, 1 key holder (3 in 1) and 2 stickers. All these items were provided during and after registration. This is the first time this has happened for the past 3 years.

2.      In our tenure of office our department has been given a vibrant and unique distinction from other departments by branding the department for easy identification.

3.      Welcomed members and management flyers were provided during the 1^st trimester.

4.      We have also contributed positively to increased L200 population to 84/100 as targeted,

5.      Assisted students who couldn’t afford to make full payment of school fees during the registration process and helped members with registration problems,

6.      ASSDA Seminar “Exploring 21st Century Job Opportunities in the Field of Social and Development Administration” which provided: Career Guidance, Counselling and available Job Opportunities to ASSDA members.

7.      Dinner Talk (life after school) kind curtesy by ASSDA wocom.

8.      ASSDA is now a registered member of the Ghana Historical Students’ Association (GHISA) and will represent UDS and the 3 Northern regions.

9.      We repaired the old notice boards constructed by our predecessors’,This was done to compliment the department’s efforts in addressing students’ welfare issues.

10.  We have in addition mounted one sign board for the association and the department at the entrance.

11.  We have also created a Facebook (www.facebook.com/assdaudswacampus), Instagram (www.instagram.com/assdaudswa), ASSDA email addresses: assdaudswa@gmail.com, assdaudswacampus@hotmail.com  handle for the purposes of communication between the association, students, agencies and other stakeholders.

12.  The executives has also created the first ever functional ASSDA Official Website/Blog thus; www.assdainfocus.blogspot.com  this will make it possible for students to access lecture notes, assignments, paste questions, announcements, read news etc. featured on the blog.

13.  The executives for the first time has awarded all course representatives certificates of honour. In Grateful Recognition of their Outstanding Contribution, Services and the Continued Loyalty and Support to ASSDA and the department.

14.  ASSDA in partnership with Social Trust Network (Accra) and Career Blueprint (Kumasi)-ghanaman.com, organized a 2 Days Life Changing Business & Job Opportunity Training Workshop: Mini Importation, Data Entry Jobs (Freelancer), Free Tuition Universities Abroad, Forex Trading, Blogging & the Top 10 Amazing Booming Business you can start this year (2016).

15.  We also attended SRC General Assembly meetings to champion our member’s interest.

16.  GHISA meetings were also attended in order to push for the interest and general welfare of students at the National Front at University of Education Winniba, Kumasi campus.

17.  We also attended NUGS 2015 congress at Adjumako - koforidua and emergency congress at Islamic university college, Accra.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1.      We recommend the incoming administration to complete the ASSDA constitution review process; we will avail ourselves should you need our help in this regard and any other.

2.      In consultation, ASSDA alumni Association should be formed   to help in the development and growth of ASSDA and the Department which subsequently could help in drawing a strategic plan for the Association.

We would like to entreat you all that indeed we have created a wonderful environment for the in-coming executives to function in.

Be that as it may, Mr. Chairman, outgoing executives, incoming executives, invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express on behalf of my executives, a very big thank you to all who in one way or the other contributed to our successes. We will rise, renew, and grow stronger and united. As we exit as past executives and you take over as new executives, I believe strongly this is your time, your chance to get and give back the best of who you are. The baton has been given to you and the battle is in your hands. Let’s throw the match, lets burry our differences, set the past ablaze, start this new administration with the right people, right friends, right networks, and right groups even if that means you will have to “be alone.”  As time passes on, things and circumstances definitely will change and I urge you to keep keeping on and be focus irrespective of the circumstances at stick.

To the incoming executives the work you have been called to is in fate a challenging task and you can be successful based on divine principles and this can only be attained base on team work, discipline and determination. Effective leadership is not about speeches: leadership is defined by results-Peter Drucker.

I’m glad we made it this far together. We wish to also sincerely apologise for all our wrong doings in the course of discharging our duties/mandate and will like you to know that we are still striving to be perfect.

Thank you and God bless you all, we will miss serving you.            

Thank you for being there and for your support.

God be with you till we meet again.

Long live ASSDA!         Long live SPHS!      Long live UDS WA CAMPUS! THANK YOU!