On the morning of 31st March 2026, the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) auditorium came alive with a quiet, yet purposeful energy as administrative staff gathered for a professional training session – physically and online – focused on enhancing memo writing, meeting management and minutes-taking skills.
Participants arrived with notebooks, handheld equipment and a shared expectation of gaining valuable insights. Administrative staff at UniMAC’s Kumasi and Tamale campuses, joined the training virtually. The Training Unit team under the Directorate of Human Resources, and ably led by Dr. Andrew Kwesi De Roy, ensured a smooth registration process while warmly welcoming attendees, setting a calm and efficient tone for the day.
The programme commenced with the welcome remarks from the Acting Registrar, Dr. Obaapanin Oforiwaa Adu. She clearly outlined the purpose of the training, emphasising the need to strengthen professionalism in general administrative communications across the board at UniMAC. She highlighted that, effective meetings, accurate record-keeping and professional communications are essential to institutional efficiency and accountability.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah, made remarks and highlighted the critical role effective communications, meeting management and accurate minutes-taking play in institutional growth and decision-making. He underscored the importance of the session, noting that such training programmes are integral to professional work in today’s dynamic environment. He stated that, “at UniMAC, we must run as fast as possible just to remain where we are as a university, to be relevant and acknowledged for our standards.” He further encouraged staff to embrace continuous learning and to apply the knowledge gained from the training to improve their day-to-day administrative responsibilities.
The facilitator for the session was Dr. Patience Anaga from the University of Education, Winneba. She is an accomplished administrator and researcher with over twenty (20) years of progressive experience. She was supported by her colleague, Mr. Jojo Annan.
Dr. Anaga began the session by outlining the objectives and expectations of the training, immediately capturing the attention of the audience with her engaging and professional delivery. She encouraged participants to rethink their approach to meetings—transforming them from routine, time-consuming obligations into purposeful and productive engagements. She also emphasised the importance of producing clear, concise, and accurate minutes that faithfully reflect discussions and decisions.
The training covered key areas including effective note-taking, memo writing, meeting organisation, and the necessary preparations before, during, and after meetings. Tailored specifically for administrative staff, the session provided a valuable opportunity to deepen understanding, build competence, and enhance overall professionalism in administrative practices.
As the session progressed, it became evident that the programme was not merely about acquiring technical skills, but about reshaping attitudes toward meetings and documentation. The training evolved into a shared commitment among participants.
Participants engaged in group works and made presentations on their group assignments. This fostered teamwork and camaraderie. The groups’ presentations generated laughs, smiles and applause as groups cleverly tried to impress other group members with their excellence and innovativeness with the assignments given.
The Question-and-Answer sessions that followed, after the group work, provided clarity. Deputy Registrars at the session, such as the Director of Public Affairs, Ms. Nana Efua Rockson, added her professional experience to answering some of the questions and to guide communications.
The Ag. Registrar, gave closing remarks expressing gratitude to all – participants and facilitators – for their commitment and participation. She stressed that UniMAC’s administrative staff must be deliberate in how they prepare for, participate in, and document meetings using professional communication standards. Her remarks underscored the importance of the session, positioning it as both relevant and timely in today’s fast-paced work environment.
By the end of the session, the atmosphere in the auditorium had shifted from quiet anticipation to full engagement. What began as a routine gathering had transformed into a meaningful journey toward professional excellence, equipping staff with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to contribute more effectively to UniMAC’s institutional growth and excellence.
