On Saturday, May 9, 2026, the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) hosted its first "UniMAC Men in Aprons" event. Men from across the university, including lecturers and administrators, came together to cook Ghanaian dishes. This initiative took place just before Mother's Day, aiming to foster a stronger sense of community within the institution.
The event was organised by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA), and the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG). The cooking stations saw men from various roles at UniMAC collaborating to prepare popular Ghanaian foods. Dishes included fufu with light soup, yam with kontomire stew, and banku with okro stew. Colleagues from the University of Education, Winneba, also joined the celebration.
This gathering addresses a key challenge for UniMAC. The university's structure means many staff and students commute long distances daily. This limits opportunities for informal interaction and social bonding outside of classes and offices. Vice Chancellor Professor Eric Opoku Mensah stated that the event was inspired by a similar tradition at the University of Education, Winneba. He emphasised the need for more opportunities for staff and students to connect. This is crucial for a university that does not have extensive residential accommodation.
Professor Mensah highlighted that such events are important for building a cohesive institution. He noted that UniMAC, by its nature, lacks the spontaneous interactions found in residential universities. The "Men in Aprons" event seeks to create intentional spaces for these connections. The university hopes to make this programme an annual occurrence. They are also planning for a campus clubhouse to further encourage staff interaction.
The Rector of the Institute of Journalism campus, Professor Christiana Hammond, expressed her support for the initiative. She described the gathering as a chance to step away from professional routines and reconnect socially. "We are in Aprons because we want to socialise," she said. "We want to remove our feet from our shoes, stretch our legs and relax." This sentiment underscored the relaxed and convivial atmosphere of the event.
Dr Noel Nutsugah, President of UTAG-UniMAC, explained the symbolic timing of the event before Mother's Day. The goal was to celebrate women within the UniMAC community. By having men prepare the meals, the event showed appreciation. It provided an opportunity for men to take on a nurturing role in preparing food for the women. It welcomed women from UTAG, GRASAG, GAUA, and the wider university community.
Participants engaged in various activities beyond cooking. Some played traditional games like cards and oware. Laughter and conversations flowed easily between lecturers, administrators, and students. The "Oilless Group," a humorous self-branding by one cooking team, added to the light-hearted atmosphere. The event demonstrated a successful effort to transcend academic and professional barriers.
The "UniMAC Men in Aprons" event's success suggests a strong desire within the institution for community building. The commitment to making it an annual tradition, coupled with plans for a clubhouse, indicates a strategic approach to fostering social capital. This initiative could serve as a model for other institutions facing similar challenges with commuting populations.