Chiefs go to school to learn management and customer service

Traditional authorities from across the country are learning to better manage resources within their localities and to treat their subjects like customers.

The chiefs are being exposed to innovative ideas in the discharge of routine duties in their communities.

The programme is run by the Osei Tutu II Centre for Executive Education and Research (OTCEER) in Kumasi, with funding from the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS).

“We want them to have a different mindset in the way they interact with their subjects; primarily to treat their subjects like their customers”, said OTCEER Head, Nana Otuo Acheampong, who emphasized that people would be more loyal to the causes the chiefs lead when treated like customers.

The first batch of 30 from the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs is currently enrolled in the four month training course.

The four-modular programme covers service management and innovation, leadership and land administration, contemporary issues in leadership and financial management for chiefs as leaders.

Nana Acheampong noted the programme is inspired by the Asantehene’s project in land lease renewal “where about five or six banks are now resident at Manhyia taking monies as opposed to the traditional way where you’d have had to get a bottle of schnapps and for about two months you’d be trooping the palace to get your lease renewed”.

According to him, the beneficiary chiefs have demonstrated commitment to learn to benefit from the training.

“Our primary aim is for them to use the skills acquired in improving their communities. Now if the secondary aim would lead some, especially when we come to look at financial management, to them establishing enterprises to help their people, then we’d thank God for that; anything  that would generate income for the people to be self-sufficient would be encouraged”.

The course would be run for chiefs and queen mothers in all ten regions of the country.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh