I already knew about GCTU even from GTCU days.I do follow a bit but I didn't know they had a distance learning option.

So I was in my village in April on an errand.I was just minding my business on Facebook when I came across GCTU flyer calling for applications into distance learning.After reading the details on the flyer,I felt in love instantly because I saw the program I would have offered if I were to go back to school in there. I told myself tho I didn't prepare for this especially in terms of finances,I wouldn't let this opportunity slide.

I returned to Ashaiman in a few days and took the necessary steps.

I registered for the mature class,wrote the entrance exams,passed the entrance exams,gained admission,paid 50% of my fees and here we are now 😀

I'm really enjoying my experience at ICDE because I feel most of the things we're being exposed to with regard to digital skills,digital communication,online learning and technology as a whole,regular students wouldn't have the chance to. I may be wrong tho.

And ooh! I must say GCTU Learning Management System is the coolest virtual classroom I've ever seen. Simply awesome 👌

Any challenges? Yes!

Balancing other equally important responsibilities/obligations with studies isn't so simple 🥲 but we're trying our best for God to do the rest for us, Insha Allah 🙌

Amazing Community? Most definitely!

I'm really glad I joined GCTU-ICDE full of the most beautiful souls one could ask for. From school authorities,administrators,lecturers,student body,colleagues and the few friends I've made so far,everyone is super good 👌.Always willing to offer a helping hand in times of need.

Hope for the best? Sure!

I pray for everyone in the ICDE community especially my colleagues that God would see us through every step of the way. We shall all do great and no one would be left behind.I pray whichever bond we've created so far wouldn't just end after GCTU, but the love would continue.

I wish y'all the very best in life 🥰

Thank you Mr Justice for this opportunity.

God bless us 🙏

That doesn't mean I'm antisocial, I just don't like people 'pitying' me so I like to keep it as low as I can.

Whenever I'm having a bad day,I watch football ⚽️. I have my favourite team but I'm also an aspiring Liverpool fan.

If it's not football then you'll find me at WWE ringside 😀.

If it's neither of the two,then telenovelas would do.

These 3 can keep me indoors for a century. I love music as well.

On a normal day,I should be taking any of these;banku,Kenkey,fufu and brukina.

I admire and look up to quite a number of individuals and groups.I just love to learn new things.

Angmler Theodora Awisi.

Background and Context

My journey into student leadership began unexpectedly during the transition into the 2024/2025 academic year. At the time, we were still waiting anxiously for our admission statuses to be released, uncertain about whether we would gain admission and, if so, whether our programme would eventually be split. The splitting of the programme was actually quite obvious because other programmes were part of the same mature class along with Information Technology, and we were all grouped together as the June 2025 intake. As part of a mature class navigating uncertainty, adaptability became necessary even before academic life officially began.

Initial Reluctance and Prior Experience

During this period, some colleagues, directly and indirectly, began to suggest that I would make a good course representative should the programme be split. At first, I treated these remarks as casual ideas, the kind we often shared on the class platform without serious intent. Leadership was not something I had consciously positioned myself for.

In truth, I felt unprepared and uninterested. While this was not my first time serving in a student leadership role, I was already dealing with many challenges and responsibilities of my own. Looking at the calibre of people who had enrolled in the programme, many of whom were already established in their careers and life journeys, I doubted my ability to lead them. I had only just found my footing again by enrolling in the programme, and the idea of carrying others along felt overwhelming. I simply did not believe I was capable of leading such a group.

The Selection Process

A few weeks later, admission results were released, orientation was held for the confirmed batch, and suddenly, what once seemed like a passing idea became a real discussion. An official announcement was made inviting interested students to step forward to serve as course representatives, with the understanding that an election or selection process would follow depending on the number of candidates.

Ironically, when the announcement was made, I was offline. Conversations unfolded without my knowledge. When I later skimmed through the chat, I noticed that Priscilla Mawusi Akyea had tagged me, encouraging me to contest. Other colleagues also reached out via direct messages, some supporting Priscilla’s prompt to include me. Still, due to a tight schedule that day, I went offline again, not fully processing what was happening.

Realizing I was unresponsive, Priscilla followed up to make sure I saw the chat. By that time, three candidates, all male, had already stepped forward. When I finally returned online, I sought clarification on whether an official announcement had indeed been made. After confirming, I agreed to have my name added to the contest. The polls were then organized by another colleague under administration supervision to ensure transparency and fairness. In the end, I was selected as the Assistant Course Representative, working alongside the Course Representative, Mr. Emmanuel Badger.

Support and Encouragement

I cannot fully articulate what my colleagues, especially Priscilla, saw in me. Perhaps they noticed my communication skills, reliability, calmness under pressure, willingness to speak up when necessary, or even a quiet stubbornness to see things through. Honestly, I cannot tell for certain. What I do know is that they saw something in me that I had not yet seen in myself, and their confidence became the mirror through which I slowly began to recognize my own potential.

Serving as the Assistant Course Representative for the Information Technology programme of the June 2025 cohort at the Ghana Communication Technology University, Institute of Continuing and Distance Education became a profound learning experience. My role involved liaising between lecturers and students, students and school authorities, and at times between lecturers and school authorities. I also coordinated information, helped resolve conflicts among colleagues, and stepped up to act independently when situations demanded it, always in coordination with my course representative.

Balancing these responsibilities alongside my academic work was not easy. One of the most significant challenges I faced was managing leadership duties while attending to equally important personal and academic obligations. Another challenge was leading and managing people who already had life experiences well ahead of mine. There were also moments shaped by gender dynamics, as the men outnumbered the women in the class. Navigating leadership within that context required firmness, emotional intelligence, and self-confidence. Added to this was the pressure from classmates, occasional miscommunication, and the weight of expectations. These challenges, however, became lessons that refined me.

Lessons Learned

Working closely with Mr. Emmanuel Badger taught me the true meaning of partnership in leadership. Leadership, I learned, is not about position or authority. It is about service. It is about going all out for your people, even when it is not in your personal interest. I also learned that leadership thrives on people management. When the people you lead feel supported and valued, they in turn support you in ways you could never imagine, making the journey lighter and more impactful.

Through this experience, I learned that anyone can lead, but effective leadership requires empathy, patience, consistency, and a genuine commitment to the collective good.

The growth I experienced was both personal and transformational.

Gratitude and Acknowledgment

Throughout this journey, I encountered kindness, respect, and overwhelming support from administrators, lecturers, IT staff, classmates, and colleagues at large.

The list of individuals who contributed to this positive experience is too long to mention, but I remain deeply grateful to every single one of them.

For the first time in a long while, I felt genuine love, respect, and support without having to prove a point or overextend myself. That alone made the journey worthwhile. I am sincerely thankful to the entire GCTU-ICDE community for believing in me.

Mr. Emmanuel Badger and I are forever grateful.

Growth and Reflection

This experience has not only shaped my academic journey but has also prepared me for future leadership and service. It pushed me to grow in ways I had not anticipated, strengthening my confidence, emotional intelligence, and sense of responsibility. Through the role, I learned to lead with empathy, patience, and consistency, while remaining grounded and accountable to the people I served. It is a chapter that has contributed significantly to my personal and leadership development, and one I will always carry with pride and humility.

Upon deeper reflection, I have come to realize that service has always been a defining part of my life. Over the years, many people have described me as service-oriented, and this has shown consistently across different stages of my journey. I served in my former church branch as a member of the ushering unit and later as the unit’s secretary. During my senior high school years, teachers, seniors, juniors, and colleagues alike often described me as dependable and always willing to assist whenever the need arose. Beyond school and church, similar sentiments have been echoed by family members, work colleagues, my junior high school group known as The Vibrant Club, and many others I have encountered along the way. These experiences have helped me understand that leadership, for me, has always been rooted in service rather than position.

Wishing my people continued success. See you at the top. God bless you all.

Wishing my people success in all our future endeavors. See you at the top.

God bless you all.