One of Ghana’s most influential campus-based radio stations, Radio Univers has officially launched its 30th anniversary celebrations, under the theme, ‘A Legacy of Excellence: Celebrating 30 Years of Outstanding Journalism.’
The event, which took place at the University of Ghana Law School auditorium on 26th April, 2024 saw some of Ghana’s biggest media personalities attend the occasion, with most being alumni of Radio Univers.
Dignitaries at the event included EiB Network CEO, Nathan Kwabena Adisi (alias. Bola Ray), Former UG Board chair, Prof. Kwesi Yankah, Former Vice-chancellor, Emeritus Prof. Ivan Addae-Mensah, Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) President, Albert Dwumfour, and representatives from UniMAC-GI, UPSA and the Ghana Armed Forces among many others.
The station manager, Dr. Abubakari Sidick Ahmed (alias Alhaji) gave a welcome address, highlighting Radio Univers’ outstanding contributions to the Ghanaian media space, some of which have become a standard of how media is practiced in Ghana.
He also cited plans to transform Radio Univers from a typical campus station to one that would concurrently run as a business for a sustainable financial foundation.
“Our strategic shift from a typical campus station to accepting a new model that would run concurrently as a business is to establish a solid and sustainable financial foundation for the firm by expanding our revenue sources to enable us to make reasonable investments to enhance the quality of our broadcasting and programming content.”
The keynote speaker, Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr. Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo, delivered his address, where he urged journalists in Ghana to uphold the ethical standards of journalism, especially as the December 7 elections in Ghana approach.
“Now, as we traverse this year of intense political campaigns, eventually [on] December 7… we must not allow ourselves to be misused by politically partisan interests to undermine our sense of professionalism.”
President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Dwumfour also advised journalists to maintain their duties to disseminate unbiased information ahead of the nearing December 7 elections.
“I urge all the media to alert and insist on only decent messages on their platforms. It is said that elections often challenge democratic institutions like ours, but resilient democratic institutions will rise to the challenge. I hope that the media will rise above the challenges that characterize elections.”
Subsequently, solidarity messages were delivered by some dignitaries, praising Ghanaian media and journalism through Radio Univers’ achievements.
The anniversary logo, was also unveiled at the launch, followed by an announcement of a list of the activities involved in the year-long celebration, which include a public lecture, a sports gala and a dinner event among others.
