The immediate past Dean of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Prof Justice Nyigmah Bawole, who made the call at the opening of the annual Registrars’ Management Seminar in Accra yesterday, said the vision of transforming universities could be realised through ethical, people-centred and transformational leadership.

The two-day seminar was on the theme, “Transformational Leadership: Inspiring Vision and Driving Change in Higher Education.”

Prof Bawole noted that universities were “at a crossroads,” as higher education was being reshaped by artificial intelligence (AI), global mobility, financial pressures, and shifting student expectations. Society, he said, was demanding institutions that not only produce graduates but nurture ethical, innovative, employable and socially responsible citizens.

“At the same time, trust in public institutions, including universities, is fast waning. This is why transformational leadership matters,” he stated.

He explained that transformational leadership could motivate staff to move beyond routine compliance, innovate, question outdated systems, and build communities grounded in trust and collaboration.

Prof Bawole stressed that the vision of a university was not the preserve of the Registrar or Vice-Chancellor alone, but must involve all stakeholders, including finance, human resource, admissions, academic affairs, and college offices.

“Administration is a moral and intellectual enterprise. It is not about paperwork; it is about shaping the environment in which learning and research thrive,” he said.

Prof Bawole added that inspiring vision required discipline, clarity and confidence in the future of universities to drive meaningful change across higher education in Africa.

The seminar brought together administrators and experts to share insights on effective and people-centred leadership.