The atmosphere at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) on Friday, 28th November 2025, was unmistakably joyful as families, friends and faculty gathered to celebrate the graduation of 897 students at the 1st Session of the 4th Congregation.
The day felt less like a formal academic exercise and more like a festival of achievement. The air was filled with music, colour, heartfelt embraces and long-awaited fulfilment as parents wiped tears and graduates danced in their gowns, marking a milestone many had fought quietly and fiercely to reach.
From the opening procession, the ceremony stirred emotions as students from the Institute of Journalism, Institute of Film and Television, and Institute of Languages (UniMAC’s Constituent Institutes) arrived to applause that rippled across the forecourt.
One could sense the collective relief and pride of a community that had pushed through sleepless nights, financial sacrifice and personal trials to stand together in triumph. The spirit of gratitude was so palpable that, as the Valedictorian began her address, the grounds fell into an attentive calm.
Ms. Joanna Nhyira Adu-Amoani, a student from the Institute of Film and Television (IFT), speaking for the graduating class as the valedictorian, delivered an address laced with nostalgia, humour and gratitude. She captured the mood with a line that drew loud applause as she reflected on the bonds formed over the years. “We have become more than classmates, we have become more than friends, we have become family,” she said, echoing the sentiment of a cohort that had survived tight deadlines, countless group projects and the unpredictable tugs of student life.
She praised the staff whose dedication had shaped their journey and reminded her colleagues that this moment belonged not only to them but also to the people who carried them through difficult seasons. At another point in her speech, she paused briefly and added, “Many can only dream of this moment. Congratulations,” the word flowing with genuine gratitude.
Joanna’s moment of triumph did not end with her stirring valedictory presence. It deepened when the university paused to honour the excellence she embodied. Farmhouse Production, staying true to their commitment to nurturing young Ghanaian storytellers, celebrated her talent with a Gh¢5,000 Scriptwriting award, a gesture that drew heartfelt applause as it seamlessly connected industry appreciation with academic achievement. The applause grew even louder when her extraordinary performance across the board was recognised.
As the Overall Best Graduating Student, Joanna received GHS5,000 and a citation from Fidelity Bank, a tribute that affirmed the value placed on her relentless pursuit of excellence. Her accomplishments were crowned further when she was named the Best Graduating Female Student, receiving a brand-new laptop from Madam Joyce Bawah Mogtari, whose thoughtful sponsorship added warmth and joy to a day already overflowing with celebration.
If the graduates were emotional, the faculty were equally proud. The Council Chair, Professor Wilberforce Sefakor Dzisah, captured the significance of the day when he told the gathering, “It is with great honour and profound joy that I stand before you to address this august gathering.” His words resonated deeply because they reflected not only institutional pride but the satisfaction of a mentor who had watched dreams unravel and reform into success stories. He encouraged the graduates to go into the world as confident creators and communicators, reminding them that their voices matter in shaping Ghana’s future.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Eric Opoku Mensah’s remarks also honoured the celebratory spirit of the day. He congratulated the students for pushing through academic pressures and reminded them that, the degrees they held were symbols of perseverance. He also acknowledged parents for their sacrifices, saying, “to our graduands, congratulations on this great feat. Irrespective of your certificate, you overcame every challenge and you stand here not by chance but by capacity.” Those words drew nods from mothers and fathers
who had quietly endured the struggles of school fees, transportation, project work, and emotional support.
Another moment that drew tears across the auditorium came when Prince Azagloh, a first-class graduate of the Institute of Film and Television, was honoured. Prince, who walks with crutches, had already won the admiration of many for his resilience throughout his academic journey. When his name was mentioned, the entire hall erupted into applause that felt almost protective, as if the whole community wanted to hold him up in that moment. Traditionally, graduands walk to the stage to receive their medallion, scroll and handshake, but in a gesture that moved many to tears, the authorities walked down from the dais to meet him where he sat. They shook his hand warmly and congratulated him, creating a moment that captured the soul of inclusive education. When he was later announced as the Overall Best Editor Student, the hall rose once more, and his victory became a quiet reminder that disability is never inability. It was the kind of moment that lingers long after the music stops, a testament to courage, dignity and the power of a community that chooses to see strength before limitation. Prince Azagloh’s recognition carried added honour as Apex
Advertising & Post Production celebrated his excellence with a Gh¢5,000 award for Editing, a sponsorship that many described as not only timely but deeply symbolic of industry support for talent and resilience.
The ceremony also spotlighted the field of animation as Mills Media awarded Gh¢5,000 to Mr. Abdul Salam Abdul Hakim for Animation, continuing a tradition of celebrating students who demonstrate exceptional creative and technical skill. The applause that followed the announcement affirmed the industry’s growing investment in Ghanaian animators.
Among the beaming graduates was Makida El Husseini, a first-class student from the Broadcast Journalism Department of the UniMAC Institute of Film and Television. Speaking after the ceremony, she paid glowing tribute to her lecturers, describing them as the backbone of her academic journey. “The teaching staff at the Institute not only teach us, they believed in us,” she said. “They pushed us, encouraged us, corrected us and shaped us into professionals. Their dedication is the reason many of us walked across that stage with confidence today.” Her words captured what many graduates felt but could not fully express as they hugged lecturers and posed for photos.
The ceremony ended on a note of collective triumph as graduates tossed their caps into the air while the university choir sang. Families gathered for photos, lecturers offered final words of advice and students who had once walked onto the campus as strangers, left as a community deeply woven together by shared dreams.
Many sponsors came together to reward and award excellence and we are immensely grateful to them. They are: the Lebanese Embassy for the Best Graduating Male Student (a laptop and accessories).
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Melcom Group sponsored the Best Graduating Journalism Student with a cash price of Ghc 10,000.00. Prudential Bank for the Best Graduating Student from the Faculty of Business and Strategic Communication (FoBSC) for Ghc 5,000
GCB Bank for the Best Graduating Student from the School of Translation and Bilingual Business Studies (Ghc 5,000). Brand Alert for the Best Student in Advertising (Ghc 5,000)
Graphic Communications Group Ltd for the Best Graduating Student in Print Journalism (Ghc4,000 plus one-year free subscription to Graphic News plus App).
At the end of the congregation, the joy was not only in what students have accomplished but in the hope of what lay ahead. On this day, UniMAC was not merely an academic space; it became a home of pride, gratitude and unforgettable celebration.
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By Makida El Husseini
UniMAC-IFT
First Class Graduate and Broadcast Journalist