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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 professor who spends his days exploring the intricacies of African languages found himself at the centre of a different kind of lesson on Friday, October 2, 2026. 
This time, there were no lecture notes, academic arguments or university classrooms. Instead, there was the weight of tradition, the rhythm of a community celebration and the solemnity of an oath at a royal palace.
Professor Ọbádélé Kambon, a full Professor of African Linguistics at the University of Ghana, was enstooled as Apagyahene and Sunsum Ɔsahene of Akuapem Mampong in the Eastern Region in a ceremony that brought academia and traditional authority together.
For the professor, the occasion was more than a new title. It was a moment that connected his academic interests in African languages and indigenous knowledge with the living traditions of an Akan community.
The day’s events unfolded through a series of customary observances. Kambon was first taken to the compounds of the Ɔkyeamehene and Gyasehene, where the preparations for his installation continued.
Then came the application of hyire, the white kaolin powder associated with traditional rites.
With the customary proceedings underway, the new chief was lifted onto the shoulders of celebrants and carried along the main thoroughfare of Akuapem Mampong.
The procession transformed the streets into a public stage for a ceremony rooted in the community’s traditional institutions.
There was something striking about the image, a university professor, accustomed to the measured language of academic discourse, being carried through the town in a display of traditional recognition.
Yet the celebration was not complete with the procession.
A ram was sacrificed at the Mamponghene’s compound before Kambon was taken to the palace, to swear the oath associated with his new offices.
The ceremony brought him formally into his roles as Apagyahene and Sunsum Ɔsahene.
Beyond the colourful proceedings, the titles themselves carry layers of historical meaning.
Kambon in his research explores the historical connections between Apagya and Akan political and military organisation.
Accounts cited in his work linked Apagya to an asafo, or military company, while historical writing traces an Apagya stool in Asante to the reign of Opoku Ware I in the eighteenth century.
These historical associations offer a glimpse into the institutions that have shaped Akan society over generations, although they do not automatically define the precise responsibilities of the office in Akuapem Mampong.
Kambon’s own professional life reflects a similar interest in preserving and examining African knowledge.
His work encompasses Akan language structure, naming practices across the Black world, proverbs and indigenous intellectual traditions.
Through Abibitumi, the platform he founded, he also promotes language learning, scholarship and cultural engagement.
But tradition was only one part of the story that day.
When the formal ceremony gave way to a reception, the occasion expanded into a celebration of three milestones: Kambon’s enstoolment, his promotion to full professor and his daughter Ama’s admission to the University of Ghana.
The gathering therefore carried a personal significance that went beyond the honours bestowed on one man. 
It celebrated professional advancement, the continuation of family aspirations and a connection to cultural heritage.
For a father, seeing a daughter gain admission to the same university where he holds a distinguished academic position offered another reason to celebrate.
For the professor, the moment placed family achievement alongside his own professional and traditional milestones.
Kambon had already established a place in the traditional life of Akuapem Mampɔn through an earlier installation as Banmuhene Kyidɔmhene, recorded in 2017.
His latest enstoolment adds another chapter to that relationship.
In Akuapem Mampɔn, the day brought together the university, the palace and the family table in one celebration. And for Kambon, the journey from the lecture room to the traditional procession showed how scholarship, cultural responsibility and family achievement could converge in a single memorable occasion.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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Intercity STC Coaches Limited has interdicted a driver captured in a viral video allegedly hitting a Sprinter bus during an overtaking manoeuvre at Pokuase before driving away from the scene.
In a public notice, the company described the driver’s conduct as unacceptable, stressing that it did not reflect the safety standards and professionalism it upholds.
Management said it had commenced an immediate investigation into the incident and identified the driver, who has been interdicted pending the outcome of the disciplinary process.
The company added that it was awaiting an official report from the Pokuase Police Command to help establish the facts surrounding the incident.
STC reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and responsible road use, while thanking members of the public for bringing the incident to its attention.
Management assured the public that appropriate action would be taken following the investigation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
