Sub-Saharan African leaders recently gathered in to attend the first ever in Ghana InterAction Strategic Leadership Programme (IALSP) meeting, hosted by the British Council.

The programme is a British Council initiative that focuses on developing the skills of professionals.

It is designed for high-level or strategically positioned leaders who are responsible for making change happen, according to the programme website.

‘It aims to strengthen the capacity of the leaders to transform organisations into being highly productive, globally competitive and socially responsible.’

The Strategic Leadership Programme ‘deepens the engagement between Africa and the UK,’ says the website. ‘The programme is a full cost recovery programme where participants pay their way.’

It is run for eight days – a four-day module delivered in a regional learning hub and a four-day learning and networking event which was held in Ghana. The delegates have a one-day briefing event in their own countries.

The initiative currently runs in Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Cameroon, Senegal, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.

According to the press release marking the event, the Director of the British Council in Ghana, Moses Anibaba, said he was proud to host it.

‘It was a privilege to see a group of highly motivated people willing to challenge themselves and become better leaders,’ he said.

Project delivery officer Henry Minski says the leadership programme in Ghana was attended by government officials and senior business people.

He adds that the British Council is pleased to be part of such an exciting programme.

‘We are already seeing the success of the programme. One of the visions of the British Council is professional development and we seek to engage with leaders. We are excited to be engaging with this level of leaders and we want to maintain the standard we have set.’

According to Minski, the purpose of the Strategic Leadership Programme is to attract leaders from all over Africa and strengthen their leadership skills It aims to equip 90 leaders this year.

Minski says the programme uses the sole profile methodology, which he says helps the leader identify his or her own potential.

‘In this methodology there are steps such as the power of questioning (this teaches leaders how to ask powerful questions), transformation and engagement, and “my personal journey as a leader”.’

The feedback from the participants has been positive, says Minski.

‘It’s been great to see that the participants are excited about the programme. Some of them even came up to us saying they would introduce the leadership programme in their respective organisations.’

British Council Zimbabwe’s Sekai Mpisaunga, who also attended the meeting in Ghana, says he was surprised at the willingness of the participants to trust the programme.

‘The British Council Ghana Director used the analogy of the participants being the candles that would light other candles; and the delegates took up this challenge and carried it throughout their learning.’

High-level speakers such as former president Jerry Rawlings and a governor from Nigeria added to the learning.

Participants have ‘homework’ to do – initiatives which the British Council will monitor after three and then six months. Nigerian participant Olumide Okunola says he rediscovered himself in the four days of the programme.

‘I have discovered new insights about myself, my essence as an individual and more importantly my environment. I met people with the same goals and aspirations as mine and I am positive I will be lifelong friends with some of them.’

To find out more about InterAction’s Strategic Leadership Programme and whether you meet the requirements click here. For latest news in Africa click here. To see upcoming events visit this page.