LEADERSHIP AT THE HELM: EVALUATING THE STYLES OF PRINCIPALS IN GHANA'S COLLEGES OF EDUCATION

The study found that the principals exhibited transformational leadership style (mean of means = 4.25), even though some principals were perceived as transactional leaders (mean of means = 3.45). Principals were perceived as least exhibiting a laissez-faire leadership style (mean = 2.45). On the whole, the male principals were perceived more as transformational (democratic) leaders whilst the female principals were seen more as transactional (autocratic) leaders. Based on the outcome of the study, it is recommended that the Government of Ghana (GoG), through the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) should organise periodic seminars and workshops to re-orient principals and other college officials on the importance of the various leadership styles, especially, transformational leadership style and when to apply them