Features
What to be avoided in your letter of motivation
In my last write up, I focused on the processes for applications by foreign students seeking an admission to Finnish universities.
I wrote among other things about how to find information or guidelines on the processes for admission to Finnish universities and issues such as assessing applicants and their letter of motivation, which can be found on the Study in Finland portal (www.studyinfinland.fi/admissions).
As I said, the key documents that applicants need to attach to their application and which form the basis of the applicant’s success or otherwise are the relevant certificates, your resume or curriculum vitae (CV), and a letter of motivation.
Today, I focus on the letter of motivation and what should be avoided in that letter.
The letter of Motivation
For many Finnish universities, the letter of motivation can be a key point for a successful application.
A strong letter of motivation can determine whether the applicant is really ready for the study programme he or she wants to pursue.
As I mentioned the last time, the letter of motivation needs to go straight to the point.
The huge number of applications to Finnish universities means that there is always a high competition for admission.
Therefore, a strong letter of motivation is likely to do the magic and result in a successful application.
I mentioned that the applicant should consider telling about how the programme would impact on his/her (future) career.
Avoid playing the emotions card
Many an applicant may think that telling about your plight would draw sympathy from the assessors. This may be far from the reality.
For example, many years ago a friend told a story to me and others about an applicant in an African country who applied to study somewhere in Europe. The applicant wrote in the letter of motivation that the university authorities should consider poverty in the applicant’s country and minimum opportunities for further education.
I do not know how far this story is true. But, according to the narrator such a request rather diminished the chances of the applicant.
The narrator said it was inferred later that the application was unsuccessful because one wondered how the applicant would be able to find the financial resources to travel abroad and pursue the programme. Would anybody want somebody to struggle or be a burden on others?
This story was narrated as a joke or to create fun, but each of us also picked some important points from it.
Again, I do not think that many evaluators would be convinced if you played the gender card by simply saying that women/girls in Africa do not have opportunities or equal rights, for example.
Rather, what may convince an assessor is, for example, when you say how determined you are to pursue the programme to set an example to encourage other women/girls to aim high despite their status.
Stress on your strong/positive points
As I pointed out the last time, the applicant should emphasise his/her strengths (abilities or competencies) that can help or enable him/her to pursue the study programme.
It is important to stress your strong or positive points. You can even boast of your achievements, abilities and what you are capable of doing. As they say: be bold.
In my experience, I can say that sometimes talking boastfully about oneself or one’s achievements sounds convincing and can do the trick for an applicant.
There is the need for you to go straight to the point and the letter of motivation should have no room for unnecessary or unclear information. As much as possible, use active and persuasive voice or words and avoid using passive ones.
Finally, your chances can be slim if your letter of motivation gives the impression that your only aim is to get the opportunity to simply travel abroad.
Also, as I said the last time, I think it should be a huge motivation and something convincing to the assessors if one of your strong motivations is to get an education that would eventually help you in your career when you are back home after your studies. Thank you.
The author is a senior lecturer
at University of Helsinki, Finland
By Perpetual Crentsil
Conflict at work is more common than you might think. According to 2022 research by The Myers-Briggs Company, more than a third of the workforce reports dealing with conflict often, very often, or all the time in the workplace. The same report found that managers spend an average of four hours per week dealing with conflict, and nearly 25 per cent of people think their managers handle conflict poorly or very poorly.
Addressing a dispute might feel tense or awkward, but resolving the conflict is typically well worth it in the long run. Whether you’re trying to mediate conflict between colleagues or are directly involved, here are seven steps you can take to manage workplace conflict.
1. Don’t put it off
Facing conflict head-on is hard. However, waiting too long to address it can negatively impact your emotional well-being, focus, and the entire office environment. If you’re feeling angry, letting that emotion fester can also escalate it over time. This can make you less responsive to other points of view and make it harder to resolve the issue.
The sooner you can address the conflict, the better it will be for you, the person you disagree with, and your entire team.
2. Learn all you can about the problem
It’s important to determine the type of conflict you’re dealing with. Begin by considering the cause of the conflict. For example, ask yourself whether someone said something that upset you or if you have emotions of anger and resentment that stemmed from something that happened.
Then try to identify if it’s a task, relationship, value, or team conflict. Once you know what type of conflict it is, you can work to resolve it with specific tactics for that situation.
If you skip this step, you may waste time or escalate the situation further by trying to address issues irrelevant to the real conflict.
3. Actively listen
Listen attentively when people share their side of the story. Active listening is one of the most valuable professional skills you can possess. This type of listening involves not only hearing what the other person is saying but also listening to understand their point of view.
No matter your role in conflict, it’s easy to begin sharing your opinion with little regard for the other people involved. However, it’s important to learn about all sides of a disagreement to make well-informed decisions before drawing conclusions.
To reach a resolution, you must step back and prioritize listening over talking. Ultimately, that will encourage the other person to do the same when it’s your turn to speak. –source: betterup.com
Today, I focus on the Temple Of Praise Ministries International (TOP Church) in Helsinki, as I continue my description of personalities or institutions and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The TOP Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments that must be made known to the public. 
Some history
The Church was established in Finland in September 2016. Since its inception, it has steadily grown both spiritually and numerically, by the grace of God, as disclosed to me by Mr Matthew Anini Twumasi, the Presiding Elder of TOP’s branch in Finland. The TOP Church has other branches across Africa, Europe, and America.
The Church in Finland was founded with a vision to create a welcoming and dynamic community where people could experience God’s love and grace (see, www.topchurchfinland.org). According to Presiding Elder Matthew, the TOP Church operates within a unique environment where Christianity coexists with what is seen as a largely secular society.
Despite this, he submits, there are significant opportunities for outreach, unity, and demonstrating the love of Christ through service and community engagement.
Activities
Church services at the TOP Church are typically held on Sundays for the main worship. In addition, there are mid-week prayer sessions, Saturday prayer services, and a half-night service held on the last Friday of every month. “We also organise quarterly programs”, Elder Matthew added.
His impression of the Church so far has been positive. “It is a vibrant and welcoming community where members are committed to worship, fellowship, and supporting one another in faith”, he stated.
In sum, Elder Matthew said the Church continues to grow by God’s grace. “We remain hopeful and committed to spreading the Gospel, strengthening the faith of our members, and making a positive impact in society”, he continued.
Achievements
The TOP Church has a number of achievements and achievements. Some of the strengths include strong community bonds, cultural diversity, and deep commitment to spiritual growth.
I also remember that during the COVID-19 period, I heard that the TOP Church was one such bodies that hugely supported its members and others to cope with the situation.
According to Elder Matthew, the challenges facing the church include “adapting to cultural differences, engaging the younger generation, expanding outreach in a secular society, and securing a permanent place of worship”.
Role in the Ghanaian community in Finland
The TOP Church plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the TOP Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
The Church also has mechanisms in place to support its members who are bereaved as a way to commiserate with them in times of death and funerals.
The Ghanaian community has played a vital role in the growth of the Church. Their strong sense of fellowship, dedication to worship, and active participation have helped build a solid foundation and attract others to the ministry, according to Elder Matthew.
Integration
By its activities, the TOP Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society.
This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process.
The role of migrant associations and groups such as TOP Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
