The Counselling Department, in collaboration with the Centre for Gender and Communication Research (CGCR) of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) on Friday, July 10, 2026, organised the 2026 Men’s Conference under the theme, “Managing Work, Family and Personal Wellbeing as a Man.”
The conference brought together the university management, faculty members, counsellors, non -teaching staff and students to discuss the importance of balancing professional responsibilities, family life and personal wellbeing. The Men’s Conference was successfully moderated by Mr. Andy Adu-Sarbeng, UniMAC GAUA President.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Godfred Arko Osei, the University Counsellor, welcomed participants to the conference, promising that the wealth of experience by the panel members, would provide life-changing opportunities to participants.
Ms. Abena Benewaa Fosuhene, Introducing the Chair of the Conference
Ms. Abena Benewaa Fosuhene, the Counsellor at the Institute for Languages, introduced the chair for the conference as Prof. Winston K. Abroampa, Pro Vice-Chancellor of UniMAC. Delivering an address on behalf of the Pro Vice-Chancellor, the Rector of UniMAC’s Institute of Film and Television (UniMAC-IFT), Prof. Samuel M. Yirenkyi, emphasised that the conference was timely as many men continue to face increasing pressure to balance work, family responsibilities and their personal wellbeing.
The address highlighted that, while society often expects men to provide, lead and remain emotionally strong, true strength also involves self-care, seeking support when necessary and maintaining healthy relationships. It stressed that neglecting one’s physical, emotional and mental health can affect family life, work performance and leadership.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor’s address further noted that, work should be a source of purpose and dignity rather than a cause of constant pressure. It encouraged men to prioritise their wellbeing, communicate openly, manage stress effectively and seek counselling or mentorship when needed.
Commending the UniMAC Counselling Department for organising the conference, the Pro Vice-Chancellor described the initiative as an important platform for dialogue that promotes emotional wellbeing and helps prevent silent suffering among men.
He encouraged participants to ensure that the conference extends beyond speeches by inspiring continuous conversations, mentorship programmes, counselling engagements and wellness initiatives across the university community.
Then came the moment of experience sharing. Ms. Abena Benewaa Fosuhene introduced the panel members to deliberate on the theme of the conference. The panel were made up of Prof. Samuel M. Yirenkyi – UniMAC-IFT; Dr. Ike Tandoh -Dean of Students and Mr. Eugene Odame – Head, Production Department. The session was ably moderated by Mr. Andy Adu-Sarbeng.
Speaking directly to the participants, the panellists urged participants to reflect on how they handle pressure, communicate with their families, resolve conflicts and support younger generations through positive leadership and responsible behaviour.
Prof. Yirenkyi gave insightful personal experiences and made this profound statement that, “improve on yourself everyday but don’t be pressured by society and peers else you will always feel you are not doing enough and that can stressfully affect your mental health”.
Dr. Tandoh, advised young men to grow wealth, work extra hard at a younger age, and begin taking it easy as one advances in age, because each age-phase has health demands that must be managed well for a balanced life.
Mr. Odame shared a personal experience, where working back-to-back without adequate rest and exercises landed him in the hospital for a medical procedure. He advised participants to work hard but also balance it with good eating habits, exercises and adequate rest.
All panel members touched on the importance of building a trusted network that is supportive. It was imperative for men to have a support group of men who will be willing and promptly step in when the chips are down.
The question-and-answer session was enlightening as participants asked questions to guide maintaining a balanced lifestyle and the social pressures men face every day. The practical and depth of real-life experience shared by the panellist provided the assurance that managing work, family and personal wellbeing as a man was attainable with the right planning and lifestyle priorities.
Giving brief remarks, the Director for Centre for Gender and Communication Research (CGCR) at UniMAC, Dr. Rosemary Obeng-Hinneh, had this to say: “Today’s conference reminds us that being a man today, means balancing success at work, presence at home and care for your own wellbeing. The true strength of a man is setting boundaries, sharing responsibility and showing up healthy – in body, mind and spirit – because a well man builds a strong family and nation. And, always, the women will be there to support you.
The conference concluded with a call for men to embrace balance, humility, discipline and support, with the reminder that true strength lies not in carrying every burden alone but in knowing when to seek help. Participants were also encouraged to apply the lessons learned in their personal, family and professional lives.