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UniMAC’s SOJAMS Masterclass Highlights Rising Demand for Business and Trade Reporting in Africa

uniwebmaster — Tue, 12 May 2026 16:40:02 +0000

Students, Guest Speaker, and UniMAC – IJ PRO in a group photograph

The University of Media, Arts and Communication’s School of Journalism and Media Studies (SOJAMS) at the Institute of Journalism (IJ) has underscored the growing importance of business, finance, and trade reporting in Africa. This was reinforced at a masterclass themed ‘Financial, Trade and Business Reporting in a Global Age’.

The event, which took place on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the South Legon Campus, brought together students, faculty, and a renowned journalist to discuss emerging trends in African trade and the critical role of journalism in shaping public understanding of economic developments.

Prof. Etse Sikanku, Dean of SOJAMS, Delivering Remarks at the Masterclass

In his remarks, The Dean of SOJAMS, Prof. Etse Sikanku, emphasised the significance of such engagements in preparing the next generation of journalists with practical industry knowledge and relevant professional skills.

The masterclass featured the seasoned media professional Samuel Agyemang, a Senior Media Expert at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and a Broadcast Journalist, who delivered an in-depth presentation on the evolving trade landscape in Africa and the opportunities it presents for journalists.

Mr. Samuel Agyemang Addressing Participants of the SOJAMS Masterclass

Speaking at the session, Mr. Agyemang stressed that the demand for business, financial, and trade reporting across Africa has become increasingly important due to major structural changes in the continent’s economy.

He explained that Ghana is positioning itself as a strategic hub for intra-African trade through policies aimed at facilitating easier movement across borders. “In the next 21 days, Ghana will be visa-free for every country on the continent of Africa,” he stated.

According to him, AfCFTA seeks to establish a borderless African market that allows goods and services to move freely across countries without excessive tariffs. Using practical examples, he demonstrated how local producers, particularly women and small-scale entrepreneurs, could benefit significantly from the initiative. “If you are able to prove that your product originates from Ghana, you don’t pay tariff on it. There’s no duty,” he explained.

Journalism Students Attentively Listening and Taking Notes During the Masterclass

He further cited the example of shea butter producers in Sandema in northern Ghana, many of whom face challenges with limited local markets. Under AfCFTA, he noted, such producers can access larger markets without the burden of export duties.

Mr. Agyemang also emphasised that the changing business and trade environment requires a shift in journalistic priorities. He encouraged journalists and journalism students to pay closer attention to business, trade, and economic reporting, noting that traditional reporting approaches alone are no longer adequate.

The session also highlighted the historical significance of AfCFTA and its connection to the vision of African unity championed by leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah. “All the heads of state have decided to go back to what our forefathers fought for, to have an Africa that is borderless when it comes to trade,” he noted.

The masterclass concluded with an interactive discussion, where participants engaged the speaker with questions and reflections on the future of journalism within a rapidly integrating Africa.

Dr. Solace D. Yawa Asafo, Giving the Closing Remarks

Delivering the closing remarks, Dr. Solace D. Yawa Asafo, Ag. Head, Department of Media Arts, expressed gratitude to all participants for their active participation and encouraged students to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the masterclass in their academic and professional pursuits.

The Masterclass event forms part of UniMAC’s broader commitment to equipping journalism students with practical knowledge and industry-relevant competencies, while ensuring they remain responsive to global and continental developments shaping media practice.

The post UniMAC’s SOJAMS Masterclass Highlights Rising Demand for Business and Trade Reporting in Africa appeared first on University of Media, Arts and Communication.

UniMAC’s SOJAMS Holds Practical Training Session to Equip Students

uniwebmaster — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 20:55:10 +0000

The Guest Speaker, Ms. Adu (in the Middle) in a Group Photograph with, from left: Ms. Duah, PRO of UniMAC-IJ; Dr. Andrew Kwesi De Roy, Head of Training & Development at UniMAC; Mrs. Perpetua Opoku-Agyemang, Assistant Registrar at SOJAMS; and Prof. Sikanku, Dean of SOJAMS

The University of Media Arts and Communication’s (UniMAC) School of Journalism and Media Studies (SOJAMS) at its Institute of Journalism (IJ), held a practical training session aimed at bridging the gap between classroom learning and professional practice. The training session, the first in a series planned for the year, is set to equip students with essential skills for the media industry.

Students, the Guest Speaker and SOJAMS Faculty Staff in a Group Photograph

The first session was held on Friday, March 27, 2026, on the theme, “Journalism in the Contemporary Age: News Gathering, News Writing, News Casting, and Multimedia Story telling”, featured ace broadcaster and TV3 New Day co-host, Ms. Beatrice Adu. She delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the growing influence of social media in modern journalism.

Ms. Norleta Duah, PRO of UniMAC-IJ, Moderating the Session

Moderating the programme to its successful end was the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of UniMAC’s Institute of Journalism (IJ), Ms. Norleta Duah. An alumna of UniMAC- IJ, she recounted her personal experience as a student and how the guest lecturing series added immense value to her academic work.

The Dean of SOJAMS, Prof. Sikanku Welcoming Students to the Practical Training Session

Delivering the welcome address, the Dean of SOJAMS, Prof. Etse Sikanku, underscored the importance of practical training, describing the session as a key complement to what students learn in the lecture halls at UniMAC. He stressed the need for hands-on training experience in shaping effective media practitioners.

Prof. Sikanku noted that, “It is not about getting a first-class degree. A first-class degree can show that you think, and you can make sense of an event. But can you apply that in a real-world setting?” He encouraged students to attend training sessions, reminding them that this is how they develop the key competencies and industry-relevant skills.

Ms. Beatrice Adu, Ace Broadcaster and TV3 New Day Co-host, Speaking to Students

The guest speaker for the session, Ms. Beatrice Adu, in her presentation highlighted the growing relevance of social media, describing it as a form of “currency” in today’s media landscape. She noted that many individuals leverage digital platforms to create content and generate income. However, she cautioned that credibility must remain central to all media practice. “Build your socials, and thank me later; but be credible, because that comes with it,” she advised.

Ms. Adu further urged students to take advantage of digital tools, to verify information before publication, stressing accuracy is the core pillar of journalism. “We should be able to talk about what the problem is and verify it as journalist,” she said.

A Student Asking a Question during the Q&A Session

Students asked questions and the guest speaker answered them with in-depth practical personal experiences as a journalist. Adding on to her guide for students, Ms. Adu cautioned that journalists would encounter ethical challenges in the course of their work. “Students, remain steadfast in upholding professional standards always”, Ms. Adu urged UniMAC students.

UniMAC-SOJAMS Students Interacting with Ms. Adu after the Session

The practicality of the session was evident in how Ms. Adu shared insights from her professional journey, recounting how she started her career and the steps she took to develop and refine her skills over time. The practical training session saw the seminar room filled to capacity by first year students. Their curiosity and quest for knowledge was demonstrated by how closely they followed the presentation, and took notes of salient points, as they were introduced to key areas such as news casting, news gathering, news writing and storytelling.

Prof. Sikanku in a Tete-a-tete with Ms Adu

The next guest speaker for the second edition of the UniMAC-SOJAMS practical sessions is the award-winning journalist Ms. Portia Gabor. She is expected expose students further to practical industry experience beyond the lecture halls by speaking on the topic, “News Reading and Reporting”.

UniMAC is a specialised University set up to train students in practical media, arts and communication. Initiatives such as these offer students continuous exposure to practical insights and experiences, further preparing them to meet the demands of the media industry.

Drafted By:
Mitchell Asare Amoamah

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