“A graceful life follows a divine plan.”
Dr. Abubakari Sidick Ahmed—Alhaji for short—was one of the brightest stars ever to grace the field of journalism in Ghana.
Simply put, he was a gift from divinity to humanity.
His groundbreaking work and paradigm-shifting impact in journalism attest to this.
A popular proverb has it that “the plurality of batakari makes it difficult to distinguish between a genuine Muslim and someone who merely masquerades as one.”
Contextually, the loose entry points into the profession and widespread professional misconduct among some journalists have prompted harsh critics to paint all practitioners with the same brush.
Alhaji was one of the few who unmistakably held aloft the banner of distinctive journalism. For decades, he was the beating heart of Radio Univers, a campus radio station brimming with talent and known for its quality programming.
Alhaji was, indeed, the Law of Reproduction personified, owing to the professional gems he produced—and continues to produce, even in death. One such gem is currently at the pinnacle of his career at a relatively young age, having already won the ultimate prize in journalism in Ghana.
In a media landscape where some journalists appear more NDC than Asiedu Nketia, and more NPP than John Boadu, Alhaji never aligned himself with the extreme flanks of partisan politics or public discourse. Rather, he consistently demonstrated a remarkable sense of political neutrality and professional objectivity.
More significantly, under his leadership, Radio Univers was insulated from partisan manipulation and safeguarded against unbridled commercial interests.
On a personal note, Alhaji was one of the indispensable figures and intellectual pillars who helped me navigate the turbulence of the media space during my tenure as President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA). He was always just a phone call away, and his contributions at crucial moments provided a fountain of knowledge from which we freely drank.
Undoubtedly, Alhaji has left an indelible mark that will continue to shape professional standards for generations to come.
Alhaji never dies.
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Tribute by Affail Monney
Former President, Ghana Journalists Association
