Participants were taken through insightful presentations on topics such as understanding rules and responsibilities, effective counselling techniques, addressing students' needs, and exploring ethical and legal issues in counselling.

Addressing participants on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar, Mrs. Ekua Abedi-Boafo, Deputy Registrar at the Division of Human Resource at UEW, underscored the importance of preparing academic counsellors to support students effectively. She acknowledged the tight nature of the academic calendar, which leaves limited room for additional engagements, but noted the necessity of the orientation.

Mrs. Ekua Abedi-Boafo explained that the institution issues appointment letters to academic staff each year, assigning them the role of counsellors to students. However, she highlighted the evolving challenges with the current generation of students and emphasised the need for detailed guidance and insights on counselling. “The issues and problems we have on our hands sometimes require knowledge and insight into how to go about counselling,” she noted.

Dr. Samuel Ofori Danquah, a resource person, charged academic counsellors to adopt proactive measures to help students navigate university life and prepare for future challenges. He emphasised the importance of guidance in integrating students into campus life and aiding their transition into the workforce. He proposed a six-step framework for effective counselling: building rapport, assessing issues, setting goals, applying interventions, evaluating progress, and finally terminating sessions with continuous self-improvement resources.

Dr. Danquah emphasised the value of open-ended questions to foster meaningful conversations. "Avoid questions like, ‘Have you eaten?’ Instead, ask, ‘Tell me how your day has been since yesterday.’ This encourages deeper conversations and builds trust," he explained. Addressing the need for empowering students rather than fostering dependence, he remarked, "Remember, you are not God or even an angel. You are here to guide students to solve their own problems, not create dependency."

Prof. (Mrs.) Theresa Antwi, Head of the ��ɫ��ƵCounselling Centre and a resource person, stressed the critical need for academic counsellors to acquire and apply basic counselling skills to support students effectively. She outlined key skills and strategies to enhance student counselling, ensuring that students overcome challenges and achieve their academic goals. She explained that the foundation of any counselling process lies in the application of skills including verbal and non-verbal communication techniques.

Addressing the challenge of counselling large class sizes, Prof. (Mrs.) Theresa Antwi suggested using online tools like Google Forms to survey students' concerns and organise group counselling sessions based on their issues. "You can use WhatsApp groups, Telegram, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams to conduct group counselling sessions," she recommended. She also encouraged academic counsellors to integrate counselling into their lectures by dedicating about five minutes to discuss students' problems.

Ms. Delight Abla Klutse, a resource person, highlighted the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and adhering to ethical guidelines, especially when counsellors are not formally trained but still operate in a professional capacity. She put forward complex scenarios that emphasised the significance of ethics in academic counselling and the potential risks of unethical behaviour.

Mrs. Delight Klutse highlighted the standing of ethical principles such as beneficence (doing good), non-maleficence (avoiding harm), and fidelity (maintaining trust and responsibility). "These principles are essential for maintaining the well-being of clients and upholding the integrity of the counselling process. It is vital to create a safe environment where clients can seek help without fear of exploitation or harm," she stated, emphasising the responsibility counsellors have to act in the best interest of their clients.

Dr. Alfred�������ܲԲ�����Anovunga, a resource person, underscored the importance of recognising and addressing students' academic needs. He shared key insights into identifying academic struggles and providing support to foster student success. He noted that significant changes in motivation, mood, and social interactions could indicate underlying issues affecting academic performance. “The moment you notice that a student's motivation is declining academically, it is something you need to take note of,” he advised.

Dr. Anovunga also discussed how counsellors can assist students in understanding themselves and the demands of their academic programmes. He stressed that helping students become self-reliant, responsible, and familiar with the necessary academic rules and regulations would empower them to navigate the challenges of university life effectively.

The university's investment in its academic counsellors reflects its dedication to providing holistic support to its students. ��ɫ��Ƶis poised to make a positive impact on the lives of its students, shaping the next generation of leaders and change-makers in Ghana and beyond by empowering its counsellors.