GNA boss receives Honorary Doctorate

Mr Bernard Otabil, General Manager of the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday evening received an Honorary Doctor of Leadership (D.L, Honoris Causa) degree conferred by the Global Centre for Transformational Leadership (GCTL) at a ceremony in Accra.

Alongside Mr Otabil, who is also the immediate past Dean of the School of Business of the African University College of Communications (AUCC), were eight other distinguished personalities who received similar awards from GCTL for their outstanding personal achievements that have also impacted on the lives of others.

A citation read by Most Reverend Dr Godwin Davids, Chairman of the Global Center for International Leadership, described Mr Otabil as someone who has impacted positively on the lives of many people by setting up the financial literacy foundation to improve lives through education.

It said Mr Otabil has held many positions in the field of journalism and the financial sector and despite his tight schedules, he finds time to write a column in the Mirror newspaper titled ‘Money Matters’ to impart knowledge to people.

Rev. Dr Davids said it was in recognition of the selfless service by Dr Otabil in his field of endeavour that the doctoral honour was conferred on him.

“Mr Otabil has several years’ experience in accounting, investment banking, media, academia and ICT, where his interest has been in technology adoption and diffusion strategies, concentrating on last mile engagements.

“As the leader of the Ghana News Agency, Mr Otabil is heading one of the respected news agencies in Africa. Established on the eve of Ghana’s Independence, the Ghana News Agency is respected for its truthful and unbiased news reporting. It has, as its core values, objectivity, truthfulness, credibility and speed”, Dr Davids observed .

Mr Otabil in an interview with the GNA expressed joy over the honour, saying that it was in recognition of hard work.

He said the honour would motivate him to achieve more successes in his field of endeavour, as well as increase his sense of responsibility.

The other awardees included Prince Kofi Kludjeson, Chairman of Kludjeson Group, Mrs Jessie Quist, Headmistress of Christ the King International School, Mr Kofi Asamoah, General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress and Mrs Salwa Helen McCauley, Executive Director of Soul Clinic International School.

The rest were Mrs Bertha Ivy Owusu, Founder and Executive Director of Arvee International School, Mr Maxwell Kofi Awuku, immediate past Managing Director of Metro Mass Transport and Dr Maxwell Tachie, CEO of Tecno Ghana.

Affiliated to the Association of Independent Christian Colleges and Seminaries, Missouri, USA, GCTL promotes leadership training towards the attainment of Bachelors, Masters and PhD programmes.

The institution basically awards individuals who are mostly influential in the socio-economic development of their respective countries.