Student leaders have been challenged to focus on building consensus and finding middle grounds in addressing challenges affecting them rather than resorting to violence which is has been the norm.

Minister for Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah who gave the advice at a Student Representative Council (SRC) Leadership Summit of the University of Cape Coast said, applying the consensus approach will reduce tension and agitations associated with student agitations and grievances.

In his speech, he referenced that recent uprising by students are one that could have been simply addressed through consensus and dialogue building to find common grounds.

He said, “Over the years, the model of students’ leaders have been the model of the agitators, the champion of the cause, and the leader of the cause to oppose policies.

Hardly do we highlight the model of the leader who is focused on building consensus, finding a middle ground between entrenched positions, making progress, focusing on the important substantive matters as against holding everyone to ransom often over simple issues.”

The MP for Ofoase-Ayirebi who is an alumnus of the University cautioned that the nation will soon become ungovernable if extremists leaders are churn out at the various levels.

“Leaders who cannot accommodate the views of other stakeholders, extremism and grandstanding had never been a model for building sustainable development. The best nations that many seek to visit are ones built on tolerance and not entrenched positions sparked by untamed rage”.

Hon. Oppong Nkrumah asked the students to always engage with stakeholders, tolerate the consensus procedures and eschew all forms of acts that could jeopardize their reputation, career and future endeavors.

The Student’s Representative Council Leadership summit programme was aimed at building the capacity of students into leadership positions.

The Minister took the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Joseph Ghartey Ampiah.