Ghana Toastmasters community, local chapter of Toastmasters International will hosts the West & Central African Toastmasters Spring Conference in Accra.
The Conference according to the Local Toastmasters Committee Chairman, Mr. Moses Cofie will be held under the theme, “Communicate to Influence. Lead to Solve.”
Addressing a press conference ahead of the event, Moses Cofie said the conference will have distinguished Ghanaian leaders like Mr. Alhassan Andani, Managing Director of Stanbic Bank Ghana, Dr. Joyce Rosalind Aryee, Executive Director of Salt and Light Ministry, Mr. Ace Ankomah, Managing Partner at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa and Ankomah Law firm and distinguished Toastmaster Papa Arkhurst who will lead presentations on topics relevant to leadership in Africa.
According to him, a Toastmasters District Conference is an exciting
educational and networking event for a District’s Clubs which has four objectives of communication and leadership training opportunities in support of the district mission, creating opportunities for networking and the exchange of ideas, recognition and celebration of district accomplishments and running district business.
He averred that “The world needs leaders. Leaders head families, coach teams, run businesses and mentor others. These leaders must not only accomplish, they must communicate. By regularly giving speeches, gaining feedback, leading teams and guiding others to achieve their goals in a supportive atmosphere, leaders emerge from the Toastmasters program.”
He said: “Every Toastmasters journey begins with a single speech. During their journey, they learn to tell their stories. They listen and answer. They plan and lead. They give feedback; and accept it. Through our community of learners, they find their path to leadership.”
Moses Cofie also explained that during the main conference, presentations by other leaders and captains of industry from the visiting West African countries will be delivered that will be geared toward preparing today’s African leader for the future.
“Leaders from 15 West and Central African countries will join their
Ghanaian counterparts in Accra from 10th to 12th May, 2018 as the at the Events Haven, International Trade Fair Centre, Accra,” he said.
In an interview with one of the distinguished Toastmasters, Papa Arkhurst who will also giving talks at the conference, he averred that the conference is a yearly event, and Ghana Toastmasters wants to reach out to more Ghanaians so as to open more clubs across the country.
“I believe in what Toastmasters stands for. My colleagues and I want to see more Ghanaians benefit from what we are benefitting. It is giving us the opportunities to grow and helps one to understand the opportunities around them so that they can take advantage of that and grow themselves.”
Papa Arkhurst also mentioned that the structure of the organization is in such a way that, if one wants to benefit he or she must lead, stressing that the time has come for leaders to move beyond communication and influence change.
He said: “Whatever affects the continent affects everything, including the people. Leadership is about understanding the dynamics of the people and how to relate with them. Leadership is people focus and management is policy focus. So it is important for every manager at any level to learn to lead. You can learn to lead from behind, it doesn’t matter the position you are holding, the most important thing is for you to influence change.”
The Spring Conference:
The Spring conference will address topics on A Conversation on Leadership that Solves Problems, The Importance of Mentorship to the Growth of Africa, The Power of an Implemented Dream and Building Your Personal Elevator Pitch.
There will also be as part of the conference, a Business Power Networking cocktail session, a karaoke night and an exhibition of Ghanaian and other West & Central African businesses, affording an opportunity for various businesses in West & Central Africa to
showcase their products and services and to network.
BY: PROSPER AGBENYEGA