In a groundbreaking move to enhance patient care and professional efficiency, the University of Media, Arts and Communication’s Institute of Languages (UniMAC-IL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to roll out a Certificate in Professional Communication Programme for staff members of the hospital.

The initiative, hailed as a national model for healthcare innovation, seeks to transform patient care through improved professional communication, cultural sensitivity, and records management.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Professor Winston Kwame Abroampa, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of UniMAC, described the collaboration as “a purposeful partnership that will enhance professional communication competencies, foreign language proficiency, and cultural sensitivity among healthcare providers at one of Ghana’s premier hospitals.”

The Pro V-C emphasized that effective healthcare delivery is impossible without clear and empathetic communication, especially in a referral hospital like KATH, that serves diverse linguistic and cultural communities nationwide. “Miscommunication leads to reduced patient trust and poor health outcomes. Investing in communication training is therefore urgent and strategic,” he stated.

In his address, Dr. Paa Kwesi Baidoo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KATH, underscored the programme’s relevance, citing systemic lapses in communication and records management as persistent challenges affecting efficiency and patient care. “Poor communication and documentation have costly consequences from duplicate procedures and medication errors to legal vulnerabilities. This programme is a strategic response to these challenges, aiming to build a culture of clarity, accountability, and empathy in our hospital operations,” he noted.

According to Dr. Baidoo, about three hundred (300) staff members across all directorates at KATH, would participate in the initial four-weekend training workshop; an investment he described as “a commitment to excellence in healthcare beyond clinical expertise.”

The Rector of UniMAC’s Institute of Languages, Prof. Cecilia Addei, who provided an overview of the programme, indicated that the programme will combine lectures, role-plays, simulations, and practical exercises. Modules include basic communication skills, professional correspondence, language structure and usage, and office administration with a focus on records management. “This is not just a training programme; it is a strategic investment in Ghana’s health sector to redefine how healthcare professionals interact with patients. This initiative would become a national benchmark for patient-centred communication in healthcare”, she said.

This partnership aligns with UniMAC’s vision of making communication excellence a national priority. Prof. Abroampa further urged other institutions especially hospitals, immigration services, security agencies, and schools to integrate professional communication and language training into staff development. “In a globalised world, language proficiency and effective communication are no longer optional; they are a moral necessity and a professional advantage,” he said.

The programme is expected to strengthen patient trust, reduce medical errors, and enhance overall healthcare delivery at KATH. By merging healthcare expertise with communication training, the partnership sets a new national standard for holistic and patient-focused medical care.

This groundbreaking collaboration signals a new era where effective communication becomes a pillar of quality healthcare in Ghana, paving the way for other institutions to follow suit in bridging cultural divides and improving public service delivery across sectors.

Presents at the signing of the MOU was the Rector of the Institute of Journalism, Prof. Christiana Harmond and other staff members of both institutions.