Speakers at the 19th edition of the Timekeeping Dialogue Series have advised Ghanaians to be more deliberate about how they allocate and utilise their time, stressing that time should be regarded as a valuable resource worth investing in.
The episode, organised under the theme “Gift to Gain: Mastering Time, Elevating Your Impact,” was held in collaboration with the Ghana National Association of Teachers Ladies’ Association (GNATLAS) and also marked the celebration of International Women’s Day.
A Development Practitioner, Charles Kojo Vandyck, who delivered a presentation on time management, urged participants to perceive time as capital that must be invested wisely.
He asked participants to reflect on how they spend their time.
“What do you spend your time on that helps you, and what do you spend your time on that does not help you? How you use your time will either produce positive or negative results,” he said.
Mr Vandyck also pointed out that time carries reputational value, explaining that people who manage their time well are often regarded as reliable — a trait that commands great respect in society.
According to him, mastering one’s time strengthens relationships with others. In addition, he noted that effective time management is an important leadership asset.
Addressing members of GNATLAS, he said: “You carry a huge weight. All the sacrifices you make are an investment of time. When women are able to master time, it creates a multiplier effect.”
Mr Vandyck further emphasised that the way individuals use their time determines the impact they make.
“How you use your time shapes the quality of your influence and results. The impact is the gain,” he stated.
He advised the female teachers to be strategic about how they invest their time.
“Be strategic in investing your time. Do not just engage in activities and busyness. The time that you invest today shapes the leaders of tomorrow,” he said.
Mr Vandyck explained that there are four main types of time: priority or thinking time, protected or distraction-free time, performance or execution time, and purpose or reflection time.
Priority time, he explained, is time reserved for strategic long-term thinking. Protected time refers to deep, focused work that is free from distractions. Performance time is used for executing projects, meetings, supervision and delivery, while purpose time is devoted to mentorship, learning and mission alignment.
The Chairperson of the Greater Accra Regional Branch of GNATLAS, Sarah Oye Owuredu, noted that teachers spend most of their time moulding the children under their care by providing emotional support in addition to academic instruction.
She said teachers also identify academic challenges faced by their pupils and work to help them overcome those difficulties.
“We plan daily how we will help these children. We put them on the path that is good for our country. Teachers are architects of the future,” she said.
However, Ms Owuredu lamented what she described as the poor attitude of some teachers toward timekeeping.
She observed that many teachers show little regard for time, even among some of the most dedicated professionals.
She further noted that because of their financial challenges, many teachers engage in side businesses, which sometimes takes time away from activities that could have been devoted to teaching and professional development.
Despite these challenges, she encouraged teachers to motivate themselves to give their best.
The event also featured Grace Kodah, the GNATLAS Coordinator for Accra Metro West.
The programme was hosted and co-convened by Georgina Asare Fiagbenu of Communication for Development Advocates
