UEW Trains Drivers for Enhanced Safety and Professionalism Standards
The Transport Section of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) in collaboration with the Division of Human Resource has commenced a four-day refresher training for the University’s drivers to sharpen their professional competence, safety awareness and service delivery skills.
The training, which began on Tuesday, 4th November, 2025, and is expected to end on Friday, 7th November, 2025, is taking place at the Students Centre Seminar Room II, North Campus, Winneba.
Organised in two batches, the training brings together all UEW drivers for intensive sessions on practical and professional topics, including Code of Conduct and Professionalism: Roles and Responsibilities of a University Driver; Client Service and Interpersonal Skills; Defensive Driving Techniques; Safe Following Distance and Speed Control; and Night and Low Visibility Driving.
Other topics are Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Inspection Procedures; Hazard Recognition and Response; Dashboard Warning Lights and Their Meanings; Staff Welfare Matters; Vehicle Breakdown Procedures and Accident Scene Safety and Fuel-Efficient Driving Habits and Maintenance Practices that Extend Vehicle Life.
Facilitators for the training include Mr. Elijah Otis Awuni, Mr. Timothy Addo, Dr. Nyuiemedi Agordzo Edoh-Torgah, Mr. Kwadwo Sakyi and Ms. Rebecca Tachie-Menson, all seasoned professionals with expertise in safety management, counselling psychology, employee relations and vehicle maintenance.
Dr. Deborah Afful, Deputy Registrar at the Division of Academic Affairs, welcomed the participants and commended the organisers for initiating such an important exercise. She explained that the purpose of the refresher training was to enhance the professional skills and safety awareness of the university's drivers.
She stressed that the University attaches great importance to the safety and well-being of its staff, students and the general public, hence the need for regular capacity-building sessions for drivers. She described transportation as a crucial component of the University’s operations, facilitating academic, administrative and field activities daily. “Driving may appear routine but it demands constant alertness, discipline and professionalism,” she said.
Dr. Deborah Afful encouraged participants to take the training seriously, underscoring that it would enhance their performance and reduce risks associated with road transport. She advised drivers to comply strictly with road safety regulations and the University’s transport policies while maintaining high standards of discipline and respect in their duties.
She further urged them to see themselves as ambassadors of UEW whose conduct on and off the road reflects the image of the University. Dr. Deborah Afful reaffirmed Management’s commitment to providing continuous learning opportunities for all staff categories and expressed optimism that the knowledge gained from the sessions would translate into safer practices and improved service delivery.
Mr. Elijah Otis Awuni, Transport Officer of UEW and one of the facilitators, lauded the initiative and highlighted its significance in promoting safety, efficiency and professionalism among the University’s drivers. He acknowledged the essential role they play in ensuring the smooth running of the University’s operations, describing them as “unsung heroes” who connect the institution’s administrative and academic activities.
Mr. Awuni underscored the need for regular vehicle maintenance and adherence to preventive measures to avoid mechanical failures that could lead to accidents. He urged participants to cultivate discipline, punctuality and responsibility as key attributes of professional drivers. “Road safety begins with personal responsibility,” he remarked, cautioning that negligence or carelessness could have serious consequences not only for individual drivers but for the University as a whole.
He advised participants to pay close attention to the sessions, share their experiences and adopt lessons that would improve their day-to-day performance. Mr. Awuni concluded by urging them to prioritise safety, follow standard driving procedures and project the University’s good image through their conduct.
Adding a psychological and wellness perspective, Dr. Nyuiemedi Agordzo Edoh-Torgah, Head of the Department of Counselling Psychology, commended the organisers and the participants for taking part in the exercise. She noted that refresher training programmes are critical for ensuring continuous professional growth and compliance with safety standards.
Dr. Nyuiemedi Edoh-Torgah observed that most road accidents are preventable when drivers are informed, cautious and disciplined. She, therefore, charged the participants to make road safety a personal commitment by obeying speed limits, traffic regulations and maintenance schedules. “The University’s drivers are representatives of UEW wherever they go and their behaviour on the road directly affects the institution’s reputation,” she stated.
She reminded participants that transport facilities provided by the University are to support its academic and administrative mission and it is the drivers’ responsibility to ensure that such vehicles are used efficiently and safely. She urged them to stay attentive, avoid fatigue and adopt good driving habits.
Dr. Nyuiemedi Edoh-Torgah expressed confidence that the refresher training would equip participants with up-to-date knowledge and practical skills that would enhance their efficiency and professionalism. She encouraged them to apply the lessons learned in their daily operations and to remain committed to safety and excellence.
The four-day refresher training reaffirms UEW’s dedication to fostering a culture of professionalism, discipline and safety among its staff. It also underscores Management’s continuous effort to ensure that drivers, who play a vital role in the University’s logistics and operational framework are well-equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to support the institution’s mission effectively.
