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Fauzeeya Jamal-Deen speaks on grabbing multiple awards at UNIMAC-GIJ
Fauzeeya Jamal-Deen
Fauzeeya Jamal-Deen is the first of four girls. Her mother is a trader and her father was a clearing agent at Tema. Setting out on her educational journey, she had always exhibited strong potentials and determination to attain the highest academic qualification possible.
After her basic and secondary education at Mars Complex School and St. Rose’s Senior High, she gained admission to study at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and also received a partial scholarship to study at Calvin University in the United States of America (USA) but could not enroll due to financial challenges.
Her father was diagnosed of a chronic disease hence his inability to support the family financially as he used to do while in active service. The situation, therefore, required Fauzeeya joining her mother at the market as they work hard to support the rest of the family and also settle medical expenses.
While selling, she was still focused on pursuing higher education and the financial difficulties did not deter her from chasing her dreams at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, now University of Media, Arts and Culture (UNIMAC-GIJ) where she recently graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies (Journalism).
She did not only graduate with First Class but also won three separate awards. She was adjudged Best Student in Broadcast Journalism, Best Student in Journalism, and Best Female Student in Journalism.
Hurdles
In an interview with The Spectator recently, the young graduate spoke about overcoming hurdles at different stages in her academic journey and how she wants her story to inspire young girls in similar situations.
She recalled gaining admission to GIJ at a “difficult time in her life” when she did not have the resources to settle her admission fees as a fresher.
After gaining admission, she was supposed to pay at least 60 percent of the fees (2, 400 cedis) at the time in order to complete student registration processes on campus.
She said her mother’s business was collapsing at time but a customer had provided 1,000 cedis to be re-invested in the business but her mother offered the cash as part payment of the admission fees, although it was not up to the 60 percent required.
“One day, I got to campus and Auntie Vera (one of the staff at the academic affairs) ask if I had paid for the fees and if I knew the next day was the deadline for payment.
“Upon hearing that the following day was the deadline, I was disturbed and feared I could drop out of school again. But kind heartedly, Auntie Vera helped me settle my fees for the first year and helped me apply for the MTN Bright Scholarship,” she noted.
This benevolence enabled Fauzeeya to continue her studies and although the four year period came with its own challenges she was able to sail through the rough terrain.
Motivation
Attributing part of her success to God and her family and Auntie Vera, she said her motivation came from the commitment to maintain her scholarship and also make her parents proud.
“When I started school, the goal was to just graduate come what may. I did not think I was going to get any award at that time but Alhamdulillah (God) gave me what I wanted and more.
“I wasn’t expecting to receive all the awards. Based on my performance, I knew I would receive at least one award but others came to as a surprise.” I knew other first class students could equally win awards that was why I was not too keen on grabbing the ultimate,” she stated.
The awards mean a lot to Fauzeeya who is now a Teaching Assistant at Ghana Institute of Journalism. She believes it was a true reflection of her hard work, persistence and determination. She is confident it would enable her to attain greater heights in her career and other endeavours in future.
She urges young girls to develop a winning mindset and not allow unpredictable circumstances of life keep them down. She mentioned Mr. Elvis Darko, the Editor of The Finder Newspaper, Mr. Benard Avle, General Manager of Citi FM/ Citi TV, Emefa Apawu, a Presenter at Multimedia and few other media personalities as some of her role models in journalism.
By George Obeng Osei
The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Dancehall musician Shatta Wale has issued a strong public statement calling for an end to what he describes as continuous attacks on his brand, following an apology from media commentator Awal Mohammed.
In the statement, Shatta Wale acknowledged the apology but stressed that persistent criticism and what he sees as deliberate attempts to damage his image must stop.
He noted that for many years, he has spoken for the streets, the youth, and people who feel ignored by society, while also promoting Ghana on the global stage and creating jobs through his work.
He expressed concern that some media personalities, commentators, and influential figures continue to target his name unfairly.
According to him, the issue goes beyond music and touches on respect, fairness, and national maturity.
The musician warned that continued disrespect toward voices that represent ordinary people could have wider consequences.
He emphasised that the Shatta Movement remains strong and organized, and that the patience of the masses should not be taken for granted.
He added that if systems continue to fail the people, they have the ability to organize politically through numbers and truth, not violence or hate.
Shatta Wale clarified that his message was not a threat but a reminder of reality, stressing that attacking a symbol that represents millions of people can have social, cultural, and democratic effects.
He called for respect, fairness, and unity, saying the voice of the people will always rise.
The statement comes after Awal Mohammed recently described Shatta Wale fans during a public discussion as junkies.
The comments triggered backlash from fans of the musician, prompting Awal to later issue an apology.
By: Jacob Aggrey
