Paul Akwasi Amankwaah (Rev) is a Licensed Professional Counsellor working at the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) Counselling Directorate. He holds two masters’ degrees in Guidance and Counselling (MPhil & MA) from the University of Cape Coast. He also holds a master’s degree in ministry (Theology, Pastoral Care and Counselling) from the prestigious Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon, Accra. Besides the above degrees, he has a Bachelor of Education (Technical) degree and a Certificate in Education, both from the University of Education Winneba. Additionally, he holds a Postgraduate Professional Certificate in Psychology from the Methodist University Ghana, Accra and HND Mechanical Engineering (Metallurgy option) from Kumasi Polytechnic.
Until his appointment as a counsellor at the University, he was an experienced professional teacher in the Ghana Education Service (GES) working for over two decades across three districts in the Ashanti Region. He has been a Mathematics teacher (Ejisu SHS & Tepa SHS), Municipal Guidance and Counselling Coordinator (Ejisu-Juaben), and Municipal Public Relations Officer (Suame).
He is a diligent counsellor who exercises competency in broad subject matter counselling therapies, including addiction, relationships and abuse. Knowledgeable in adolescent, youth, and adult development, including social, behavioural, emotional, and cognitive strategies. Further, he coaches and mentors the youth on how to be relevant and impactful in society. He organizes seminars and conferences for the youth on pertinent issues as well as workshops for teachers and care givers in educational institutions.
He has a sound knowledge of theoretical counselling approaches and their application to real world setting, having a special interest in cognitive behavioral therapy, integrative and youth counselling, marriage counselling and addiction therapy. In addition, he has competencies in crisis intervention/management, grief counselling and psychological assessment (psychometric measures).
Furthermore, he has proven abilities in offering an unmatched commitment to his clients, leading them to resolve their concerns and make meaningful decisions. He can develop and maintain a close working relationship with colleagues, clients, their caregivers and other members of the community to promote a consistent environment for clients' holistic development.
He has the following five skills: one, outstanding knowledge of principles of psychology and expertise in implementing many types of behavioural and counselling therapies. Two, competencies in administering and interpreting psychological tests and developing intervention programmes to adjust behaviour. Three, the ability to provide individual counselling services or facilitate group therapy sessions in a positive and effective manner. Four, a strong sense of integrity when dealing with clients and a commitment to keeping information confidential when necessary. Finally, excellent oral communicator and compassionate listener when discussing details of individual cases with clients and family members.
His research interests include Adolescent Counselling, Vocational Counselling and Career Development, Academic Counselling, Stress Management, Crisis Counselling, Retirement Counselling, Marriage Counselling, and Abused Counselling.
He is passionate about psychosocial development of the teeming youth, and he has been involved in the training of some members of the University Community (staff and students) and para-counsellors in church settings. He is a sought-after speaker on leadership, career guidance and marital relationships. Above all, he is a God-fearing Christian and an ordained minister in the Methodist Church Ghana.
He is a member in good standing with Ghana National Association of Certified Counsellors (GNACC), a professional body, Family Life Mission (FLM) Ghana and professionally licensed by Ghana Psychology Council (GPC).
