GMD-UEW Promotes Staff WellBeing with Seminar on Men’s Work–Life Balance
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW), through the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate (GMD), has organised a seminar aimed at promoting staff wellbeing by addressing work–life balance from the men’s perspective, as part of ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive and productive university community.
The seminar, which brought together management members, academic and administrative staff, underscored UEW’s commitment to holistic staff welfare and gender-responsive dialogue within the University environment. The seminar took place at the North Campus Mini-Conference Room on Tuesday, 27th January, 2026.
Mrs. Ekua Abedi-Boafo, the Registrar of UEW, in a welcome address on behalf of Management, affirmed the University’s dedication to staff welfare. She emphasised that while Management remains focused on delivering UEW’s mandate, equal attention must be paid to staff wellbeing. According to her, achieving institutional goals cannot be separated from employees’ personal and domestic realities. She encouraged participants to engage actively in the discussions to find sustainable ways to balance work demands with family responsibilities.
Delivering the keynote address, Ms. Patricia Kaitoo, the Director of GMD, highlighted the importance of recognising men’s wellbeing as a critical factor in achieving productivity and harmony at both work and home. She explained that the seminar sought to challenge norms that discourage men from openly discussing stress and burnout while equipping participants with practical strategies to achieve balance in their financial, social and professional lives.
Mrs. Karen Eyram Okoro, an Assistant Registrar at GMD, explained that the engagement was designed to create a safe space for reflection on the pressures men face in balancing professional responsibilities with family and personal life. She noted that although work–life balance discussions often focus on women, contemporary realities show that men equally experience stress arising from societal and workplace expectations.
The first presentation was delivered by Prof. Mrs. Emma Sarah Eshum, Director of Quality Assurance, who examined work–life balance from societal and professional perspectives. She described work–life balance as a continuous journey that requires deliberate planning, flexible time management, attention to health, family and leisure as well as the harmonisation of professional and personal life.
Prof. Emma Eshum further noted that societal and cultural expectations place significant pressure on men as providers and leaders, making balance both necessary and challenging. She urged participants to set clear personal and professional priorities, manage time effectively and uphold values such as reliability, excellence and integrity.
The seminar also featured a presentation on financial planning by Mr. Prince Eric Amasu, Deputy Finance Officer at UEW. He stressed the role of sound financial management in achieving work–life balance, explaining that no level of income can guarantee stability without proper planning and discipline. Mr. Amasu encouraged participants to apply financial knowledge acquired over the years and to take deliberate action towards managing income, expenditure and long-term financial goals.
The programme concluded with participants acknowledging the relevance of the discussions to their personal and professional lives. The seminar reinforced UEW’s broader agenda of promoting equity, staff wellbeing and sustainable productivity through inclusive dialogue and capacity-building initiatives.