Public Affairs Directorate

As the only state university in Ghana exclusively dedicated to health education, University of Health and Allied Sciences attracts a high level of interest both nationally and internationally; and in this regard, the Directorate of Public Affairs (DPA) acts as the conduit for timely, relevant and accurate information. All information emanating from UHAS potentially affects the reputation of the university, and this is the determining factor behind the methods and tools we use in growing a positive image of the university.

The fundamental role of DPA, therefore, is to utilise best practice in information dissemination and promotion of harmonious relations between the university and its various stakeholders. The directorate works with all sections of the university community as a catalyst in executing the university’s mission to attain its strategic objectives and realise its vision.

In order to fully support the UHAS corporate vision of becoming the preeminent health research educational institution dedicated to community service, the Directorate of Public Affairs takes its own vision from UHAS Strategic Objective 10 on Communication and Global Reach, which is:

To develop the global public image of UHAS as a world-class centre for intellectual engagement, through the proactive communication of ideas generated at UHAS and through openness to new ideas generated elsewhere.

Our goal is, therefore, to enable the robust interaction of all stakeholders in shaping a positive global image of UHAS by pursuing the following objectives: developing the UHAS academic brand; elevating UHAS’ social reputation; growing the UHAS audience; and ensuring UHAS’ sustainability by promoting global best practice.

We will ensure effective and timely flow of accurate information and harmony between UHAS and its external publics by planning, organising and managing events and activities that enhance interaction and cordial relations between the university and those publics.
We will also facilitate efficient communication and internal collaborations by assisting our internal publics — comprising students, faculty and staff in our schools, directorates and offices — to generate and disseminate printed and digital content that meets the high standards of UHAS, and employ multiple means to publicise the great work being done here.

Director's Profile

Anthony Asempah

Director of Public Affairs

Mr. Anthony Asempah assumed the Position of Director of Public Affairs on 1st August, 2024. In addition to his core mandates within the University, Mr. Asempah lectures Health Law and Nursing / Midwifery Ethics at School of Nursing and Midwifery at Level 300.

Work Experience

Before his current position, Mr Asempah served as a School Officer of School of Medicine. As a School Officer, Mr Asempah was the Head of Administration within the school reporting to the Dean.

He earlier served as the University's Vocational Training Coordinator, where he primarily oversaw the coordination of the vacation practical professional training programme within the University in its entirety, reporting to the Pro-Vice Chancellor.

Prior to this, he was the Head of Public Affairs within the University, where he had the opportunity to set up the Public Affairs Unit within the University (which has now become a directorate); creating desks for Public Relations, Documentation & Publications and Protocol & Passages. As the Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Asempah, among others, worked with directorates, schools, units, committees and offices to ensure that Public Affairs is integrated at all levels of planning so as to see UHAS become a pre-eminent research and practically oriented health educational institution dedicated to community service.

Mr Asempah has a goodly experience in Communication, having obtained a very instructive work experience with Strategic Communications Africa Ltd (Stratcomm Africa) – Accra, Ghana; an international total communication, reputation management and research agency dedicated to using communication as a means of enhancing performance in various contexts.

He served as a Strategic Plan Consultant / Facilitator working in the areas of child education and youth empowerment. In this role, he assisted in organizing workshops for a number of senior high school management teams in Ghana on how to write and implement a strategic plan.

Mr. Asempah worked as a Law Lecturer, lecturing LLB students at Kings University College – Ghana, where he also wrote course module handbooks for a number of LLB courses. He also worked as a Legal Assistant with a number of NGOs / charity organizations in the areas of minority rights, domestic violence and racial equality. At this position, his work involved researching and analyzing the implication of case law, legislations and regulatory matters.

Mr. Asempah started his working life as English and History teacher at St. Mary’s Seminary Secondary School, Lolobi near Hohoe – Ghana, which also happens to be his alma mater.

Academic / Professional Qualifications

Mr Asempah holds a Master of Laws in Human Rights from Staffordshire University, Stoke on Trent, UK; Common Professional Certificate in Law / Graduate Diploma in Law from Keele University, Keele, UK and B. A. Arts Honours Degree from University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

Mr. Asempah is a Chartered Management Consultant (CMC) and a Chartered Professional Administrator (ChPA) with Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants, Ghana.

Ghanaian Traditional Leadership Roles

He is one of the traditional leaders of Ghana with the stool name Togbe Buami IX. He is the Chief of Gbi-Bla. This position makes him the head of the Northern ADONTIN of Gbi Dzigbe comprising Gbi-Abansi, Gbi-Bla and Gbi-Kpeme.

Togbe Buami IX is the Second in Command of Gbi Dzigbe (i.e. Hohoe together with 8 other traditional divisions), second to only Togbega Gabusu, the Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional State.

Research Interests

The research interests of Mr Asempah include professional practical training, Health Law, Ethics and Social & Corporate Governance. Mr Asempah is currently undertaking a number of research work including areas like the Role of Human Rights in Corporate Social Responsibility / Creating Shared Values in state university communities and the role of Ghanaian traditional political structures in the socio-political development of Ghana.

Public Relations Unit

The Public Relations and Marketing Unit (PR), in collaboration with the relevant schools and directorates, is responsible for managing UHAS events, for promoting UHAS-branded gifts and souvenirs, and for protocol duties.

Event Management

The PR unit facilitates the organisation and successful execution of the following events:

Outreach
Congregation
Matriculation
Induction ceremonies
Inaugural and special lectures
Special functions, e.g., White Coat ceremony
Workshops and seminars

Marketing

The PR unit is also responsible for managing vendor relations, the manufacture and marketing of UHAS-branded souvenirs, gifts and other promotional collateral, including:

Calendars & diaries
UHAS-wear (cloth, blazers, caps, scarves & neckties)
Cups & mugs
Wristbands and other giveaways
Plaques & VIP gifts

Administration

The PR unit also manages the PA Office and performs administrative duties. The unit also assists our internal constituents to prepare and disseminate information within the UHAS community in order to ensure efficiency. This covers Announcements & notices; Advertisements; Email; Invitations; Mail & package deliveries.

Protocol Unit

In collaboration with relevant directorates or schools, our Protocol role entails the following services:

Guest Services (Front Desk And Visitors)

Receiving and processing appointments and walk-ins
Liaising with security to screen visitors
Identifying and properly managing VIP guests such as traditional rulers, diplomats and politicians
Organising logistics for University events and visitor areas
Conducting guided campus tours
Managing promotional visits by external companies

Passages (Travel-Related Issues)

Passport, visa and related issues for members of the UHAS community
Airport arrivals and departures of official international guests
Hotel bookings for official invited guests

Terminal (UHAS Obligations To Faculty And Staff)

Retirement (certificates, send-off receptions)
Death (funeral announcements and arrangements, payment of benefits)

Documentation Unit

The Documentation and Publication Unit (Doc) is responsible for reporting, managing editorial processes and proofing written content, as well as developing and producing multimedia content. This unit is also the publisher and custodian of all official UHAS publications and branding elements, as well as media engagement.

Editorial

We oversee development, editing and publishing of all official written informational material and publications, including:

The Vice Chancellor's Annual Report

This is a statutory requirement for the Vice Chancellor to provide updates on the state of the University, including progress made over the past year and expectations for the upcoming year.

Handbooks/Manuals

In collaboration with various schools and directorates, we publish the student handbook/prospectus and other school-specific publications.

Brochures

We publish academic brochures, fact sheets and other fliers with up-to-date information on the programmes offered in the various schools of the university, entry requirements, and an overview of UHAS. We distribute this information to prospective students and other interested parties during outreach events.

UHAS Gazette

In two volumes per year, this PDF document lists incoming, outgoing and other administrative staffing changes among senior members of the university.

UHAS Newsletter

The newsletter summarises recent UHAS news in a PDF document that is distributed to internal and external UHAS constituents.

Other reports & publications

We edit and publish any other official reports and publications, including statutory and policy documents.

Speeches

We draft and edit speeches and presentations for use by members of senior management.

Media Engagement

This unit also manages the university’s media engagement by overseeing Internet content, press relations, copyrights and permissions:

Internet content management

UHAS web site
External platforms
Social media accounts (Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter)

Press Relations

Press attendance of UHAS events is strictly by invitation. We require all invited guests, including members of the press, to register with proper identification when attending any UHAS events. Other press engagements, such as interviews or campus visits are by appointment. We oversee:

Event coverage and reportage
Press invitations and accreditation
Press kits
Press briefings
Press releases
Media monitoring and tracking

Copyrights And Permissions

University of Health and Allied Sciences holds copyrights on all UHAS marks and symbols, as well as all content featured on the UHAS web site, in our reports, brochures, publications and digital formats, unless otherwise indicated. This proprietary information cannot be reproduced without permission granted by the Directorate of Public Affairs on behalf of UHAS.

The director and senior members of the directorate serve on several committees in the university, including, Academic Affairs, Convocation, Endowment Fund Committee, Policy Review Committee, Physical Development Committee, and Security Committee.

The unit serves members of convocation who are principal officers of the university and other senior members appointed by Council or the Academic Board, and are registered as members of the Convocation by the Registrar. The main function of this body is to receive and discuss reports from the Vice-Chancellor on the state of the university, and future plans.

The Convocation may express an opinion on any matter that affects the university and may refer the matter to Council or the Academic Board.

The Academic Board may establish standing and ad-hoc committees for the purpose of carrying out its functions under the Act that established the university and as may be determined by the statutes enacted by Council, except that a committee comprised entirely of non-members shall be advisory only. The Security Committee is one of the standing committees established by the Academic Board to see to issues that affect the security system of the university.

University of Health and Allied Sciences

P. O. Box PMB 31

Ho, Volta Region

E-Mail

[email protected]

Telephone

036 219 6122

050 113 2329

024 512 5359