President John Dramani Mahama has appointed the former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), Prof. Wilberforce Sefakor Dzisah, as the Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC). 

Prof. Dzisah was sworn into office alongside other members of some public universities at a ceremony held in Accra, on Thursday [August 14, 2025].

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu swore members of the Governing Council into ofice. 

In his acceptance speech, Prof. Dzisah expressed gratitude to President Mahama and the Minister of Education for the trust and confidence in him and his colleagues through this appointment.

“I do not take this honour lightly, but on behalf of my colleague Members of the Council, we appreciate the weight of the responsibility that comes with it”. 

Prof. Dzisah, who is a Professor of Communications at the School of Technology and Social Sciences at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), noted that UniMAC is a “unique institution – one that sits at the intersection of creativity, technology, culture, and information.

In a time when truth is often contested, when digital disruption redefines our ways of living, and when cultural narratives shape national identity, our university holds the key to preparing the next generation of storytellers, journalists, artists, policy thinkers, and innovators.”

He further assured the stakeholders of the Governing Council’s commitment to working collaboratively to deal with UniMAC’s infrastructural challenges, promote cutting-edge research, uphold and strengthen academic freedom, and ensure prudent financial governance.

Prof. Dzisah touched on some of the Governing Council’s strategic priorities including tailoring UniMAC’s curriculum to be more responsive to industry and national development; empowerment of faculty and staff to deliver their best; the development of the students into ethical, critical thinkers and creators; and the preservation and promotion of Ghanaian culture through the arts and media.

“Let us work with urgency, unity, and purpose. On behalf of my colleague Members, I want to assure all of you that we would lead with integrity, transparency, and vision. I welcome the guidance and support of every stakeholder as we embark on this journey together to reset Ghana by adopting bold, creative, resilient, and progressive policies”, he emphasized.

Who is Prof Wilberforce S. Dzisah

Prof. Wilberforce Sefakor Dzisah is an Associate Professor of Communications in the School of Technology and Social Sciences at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). Prof. Dzisah has over 30 years work experience in academia, consultancy and the media industry.

He holds a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) in Communication and Media Research from the University of Westminster and Master of Arts Degree in Journalism Studies from Cardiff University, all in the United Kingdom.

Prof. Dzisah also holds post-doctoral certificates in Journalism and Media from the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) Scripps College, Ohio University, Athens, United States, and in Governance from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China.

He is an alumnus of the Ghana Institute of Journalism and a proud old student of Keta Senior High School (Ketasco).

Prior to his appointment as the Chairperson of the UniMAC Governing Council, Prof. Dzisah was the former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ, now the University of Media, Arts and Communication-UniMAC).

He also held the positions of Deputy Rector (GIJ); Director of the School of Research and Graduate Studies (SoGSaR, GIJ); and Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Social Sciences (GIJ).

He is currently the Head of Department in the School of Technology and Social Sciences, GIMPA.

He has 24 peer-reviewed journals articles, 5 book chapters, 2 major books, and 26 peer-reviewed conference papers to his credit.

Prof. Dzisah has also served and continue to serve on some Boards and Councils. Among these are: Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Ghana News Agency; Member of the Governing Council of the Ghana Institute of Journalism; Board Member, of the New Times Corporation Board of Directors; Board Member, of Woodfield Manor Autism School; Board Member, Jesus and Mary International School; and Chairman, Board of Governors, Anlo-Afiadenyigba Senior High School among others. 

Other Professional and Skills Training: Prof. Dzisah also has professional certificates in Strategic Communication and Education, from the University of Westminster, U.K.; a Certificate in Editing Techniques, Thomson Foundation, U.K.; Certificate in Legal Issues, European Union and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung; Certificate in Reporting Skills, British Council and Thomson Foundation, U.K.; and Certificate in Development Reporting, Thomson Foundation, U.K among others.

Professional Duties/Consultancies

Prof. Dzisah has consulted for organisations including UNESCO; USAID Feed the Future Agriculture Policy Support Project; Counterpart International on the Ghana Accountability Activity Project; ActionAid Ghana- Media Assessment & Evaluation Project; Participatory Development Associates; Secure Value and G3, all in the United Kingdom.

Membership of Professional Groups: Prof. Dzisah is a member of the GIMPA Senior Members Association (GISMA); Member of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA); Member of the Association of Educators in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC); Member of the European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA); and Member of Southern Africa Communication Association (SACOMM) among others.