Interviewer: Lady Kukua Atta-Peters
Publisher: Amira Haytham
“My advice to youth is that they need to develop themselves. The earlier they start the better. You need to start partaking in all activities and through that you’ll start knowing yourself…“
Oswell Cole
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: When was AIESEC in Central University founded and what was the main aim?
Oswell Cole: Sep 2005. To be the local chapter of AIESEC that seeks to instil leadership development in youth through roles and exchange programmes.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: What are the various projects AIESEC in Central University undertaken in the past year?
Oswell Cole: We have embarked on lot of Impact projects such as donations to orphanages and running sanitation projects along with Unilever. The donation was done at the Jayee Orphanage in Jamestown, a suburb of Accra. It was on 10th December 2014. The idea behind this donations was to give enough supplies to the orphanage so they could continue the good work of giving the children extra curricular activities. These included stationery, food items and old clothing. We also celebrated the festive season with them by sharing food and drinks, and danced through out the entire afternoon till nightfall.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Has AIESEC in Central University contributed in any way to the University?
Oswell Cole: Yes. We have made the University known across the world. Prospective students come to us for information about the University including admission guidance. We also helped their student who needed placement for community service projects as part of their curriculum.
AIESEC X YO
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: How do you combine your major (course) in the University and the demands of being the president of AIESEC in Central University?
Oswell Cole: I think it’s all about time management. We have 24 hours in a day. You also have a timetable for school. Then you have all other activities. With these, I draw out my own time table, apportioning each activity to a particular time. So throughout the day I know what to do at each particular time.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: How has your major (course) in the university, influenced your leadership skill?
Oswell Cole: My current course has shaped my knowledge of my managing people by knowing what they need. Studying Human Resource Management is a combination of psychology and Business. You learn human relations from a psychological stance and a business perspective. My course has given me the understanding of dealing with people and providing them the necessary resources to work with such as training. I have been able to manage people and empower them to work harder to achieve the results that we all seek for. I presume the course has given me some leadership skills in a form of knowledge.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: How has AIESEC shaped your life? (What qualities have been developed since joining AIESEC)
Oswell Cole: Ever since I joined AIESEC my life hasn’t been the same. I now know what I’m very good at and how to do it. I know how to run a company from the point of an employee, an executive and as CEO. I have contacts of 1000+ student and organization executives who help to sponsor our events and projects. I have developed my leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: How do you select local committee executives and team members? (What qualities do you look out for)?
Oswell Cole: I select my executives by opening applications and their determination to work and to lead. For members, the Talent Management portfolio handles that. The LCVP (local committee vice president) draws out the talent planning and sees the portfolios that needs members. With that they recruit based on the determination of the applicant and willingness to learn.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: As the president of AIESEC in Central University, what are the main challenges facing AIESEC, with regards to attracting new members?
Oswell Cole: Attracting new members is a challenge. You need the right people. Which is very difficult to find. Finding people with determination and willingness to learn. People just talk to get in but when they get in, it becomes difficult for them to work. They don’t even care
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Do you think the Ghanaian youth is encouraged to go out and make a difference in the society? (explain your answer)?
Oswell Cole: Yes. But it’s only a few. Majority are ready to go out there and make impact in society. The others don’t see the need. Ghanaian youths aren’t really encouraged to make a difference. They are thought to complete school, get a job and take care of the family. This happens in majority of homes across the country. It’s only a few that have that desire to make a difference, who skips the “getting a job” stage to make that difference. The difference of knowing themselves and coming up with solutions to societal problems which ends up making them more than a normal 9 to 5 job.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: What advice would you give to the youth about the need for self-development?
Oswell Cole: My advice to youth is that they need to develop themselves. The earlier they start the better. You need to start partaking in all activities and through that you’ll start knowing yourself Join student and youth organisations that give you real time, real life practical experiences that will help you make all the mistakes you can possibly think off, learn from them before you set up your own enterprise or enter the business world
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: In your opinion what do you think about youth organisations in Ghana? (Are they helpful in developing one’s capabilities)?
Oswell Cole: Some of the youth organisations are great. I don’t know many personally. But only a few can be recommended by me. This is because only a few have structures and systems that they follow and the youth benefit from. They also create opportunities for the youth to develop themselves and come up with initiatives that benefits society.
Social Media
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Oswell.Cole
Twitter: @oswellcole
Instagram: @oswellcole
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aieseccuc/
Twitter: @aiesec_cu
Instagram: @aiesec_cu