The Department of Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Extension at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) has held a day-long retreat for its senior members. The retreat aimed to facilitate critical analysis and deliberation on the growth of the department. The event was held on Thursday, 26th January 2023 at the Engineering Guest House conference room.

In his remarks, the Provost of the College, Professor Ben K. B. Banful, lauded the department for pioneering such initiative as it allows Heads of Department share the feedback of the college retreat with their members. He mentioned that it was an appropriate time for the department to be divided, but emphasized the need to consider the allocation of adequate space for the respective departments. 

Professor Banful urged the members to take bold steps in deliberating and critical analysing the growth of the department. He, therefore, assured of his outfit’s commitment to spearhead further deliberations after the meeting.

The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Enoch Osekre in his remarks commended the department for the continuous growth shown over the years and the need for more development. He noted that space was a critical factor to consider, as the department needed to create more space or leverage on external resources to achieve this goal. ‘‘Space is one thing the department must look at as we prepare to create more department. its either we create space or add space. As a faculty we may not have the resources to do it alone, so we call for assistance’’, he stressed.

Briefing the members on the college retreat, the Head of the Department, Professor Dadson Vitor-Awunyo, briefed the members on issues of concern raised at the college retreat. These include promotion, service to the community, and graduate students' statistics. To this end, he observed that most staff sought promotion for a raise in salary, and this had to be addressed.

As part of measures to build staff capacity, the Director of the KNUST Career Services, Mrs. Selina Angmor, took the participants through a talk on ‘Collaboration and Team Work’. She explained that a team is a group of people with different skills with a common purpose and set goals for which they are accountable for. She added that an effective team has clear vision, roles and responsibilities, shared commitment, trust, celebrates individuals and team success, regular communication and feedback. 

Mrs Angmor further introduced them to the process of becoming a team player.

Professor (Mrs) Ibok Oduro, Head of the KNUST Wellness Centre presented on health and wellness of staff. She outlined the services and activities rendered by the centre. She stated that the centre provides an individualised health, diet and exercise programme to help you to achieve and maintain optimum health. ‘Depending on your needs a unique combination of services can be provided such as consultations with our highly trained and experienced team of professionals, including a doctor, exercise physiologist, fitness trainer, and dietician’, she disclosed.

She further indicated that the Centre, located at the Hale and Hearty Centre, near the KNUST Swimming Pool provides Psychological Counselling, Diet and Nutrition Counselling, Gym Services, and Physiotherapy Services. 

General comment and advice were taken from senior colleagues for the growth of the department.