Dr. Justice Issah Abudulai is a full-time Lecturer in the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies Department of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). His major area of specialization is Public Relations. He also researches into Development Communication, Digital Communication, Community Journalism, Gender Issues in Public Relations, Crisis Communication, Digital Marketing, and Strategic Corporate Communication, among others.

Dr. Abudulai holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Communication from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW). Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (First Class Honours) with a specialization in Public Relations and a Diploma in Communication Studies, both from the University of Media, Arts, and Communication (UNIMAC), formerly the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ). As a full-time Lecturer with the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), he teaches and supervises MPhil, MBA, and MA Communication students at the school of Graduate Studies (UPSA) as well as the undergraduate students. His academic and professional experience make him exceptionally suited for the teaching of courses in Public Relations, Development Communication, Corporate/Strategic Communication, and related disciplines in the area of communication.

Over the past six (6) years, Dr. Abudulai has built a strong reputation as a dedicated and resourceful academic. He has served as an Adjunct Lecturer in five (5) distinguished universities (Public and Private), namely, the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UNIMAC), Pentecost University College, Islamic University College, Knutsford University College, and GH Media schools, where he has taught a wide range of Communication-related courses, demonstrating his flexibility and deep command of the field. His teaching philosophy is rooted in practical application, teamwork, and analytical inquiry, which aligns perfectly with experiential learning approaches that most Institutions of higher learning ascribe to.

Beyond classroom instruction, Dr. Abudulai has chaired and co-chaired academic conferences and students’ thesis defenses at the Graduate School of UPSA and has been actively involved in supervising students’ fieldwork, projects, and practicums at the Graduate as well as undergraduate levels. His mentorship has consistently inspired students to bridge theory with professional practice, thereby making them fit for Industry needs.

Before joining academia full-time, Dr. Abudulai served in the Ghana Police Service (GPS) with distinction for over two decades, specializing in General Policing, Crime Investigation, Documentary Production, Police Curriculum Development, and Public Affairs Management. During his service, he rose through the ranks to become a Senior Public Affairs Officer, overseeing strategic communication and media relations for the service. He was also the research officer to the Director-General Public Affairs Directorate (PAD) of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) at the National Police Headquarters, Accra. In addition, he has nearly a decade of professional practice in Public Relations, which has greatly enriched his teaching and research perspectives. His voluntary retirement from the Ghana Police Service in 2020 marked a seamless transition into academia, where he continues to contribute meaningfully to scholarship and professional training. He has researched into several projects and has published in reputable journals. He has also trained Senior Public Relations officers from various organizations (Public and Private) and equipped them with the necessary skills and expertise to remain professional in their field of work.

Dr. Abudulai’s blend of academic rigor, practical communication expertise, and leadership experience uniquely positions him as an asset to any academic institution. His professionalism, intellectual depth, and collaborative spirit make him an ideal Academic professional for institutions of higher learning in the area of communication.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1. Assisted in the development of new courses at the faculty of Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing, Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), now UNIMAC.
2. Helped in developing a comprehensive framework on Police-Media Relations, Ghana Police Service.
3. Assisted in the development of a new curriculum on communication skills for Police officers at the basic and senior corps.
4. Assisted in the development of a manual on crime reporting for the Ghana Police Service.
5. Produced a documentary on the Formed Police Unit (FPU) International Peacekeeping operations with the United Nations in South Sudan.

PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP AND AFFILIATIONS

1. Member, University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
2. Member, Institute of Public Relations Ghana (IPRG-Affiliate Member).
3. Patron-Communication Students Association (CoMSSA-UPSA).
4. Deputy Patron, Students’ Parliament House (UPSA Chapter)

 

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Professional Scrum Foundation Course

29^th – 30^th August, 2017

Akaditi, in collaboration with Ghana Police Service.

 

Strategic Communication Training Workshop for Police Public Affairs Officers

7^th – 10^th August, 2017

Ghana Police Service.

 

Workshop on Media Content Analysis

20^th – 24^th August, 2012

Centre for Media Analysis, in collaboration with Ghana Police Service.

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

(Referenced Journal Articles)

1. Anani-Bossman, A., Nutsugah, N., & Abudulai, J. I. (2024). Artificial intelligence in public relations and communication management: Perspectives of Ghanaian professionals. Communicare: Journal for Communication Studies in Africa, 43(1), 3–13. https://doi.org/10.36615/jcsa.v43i1.2506

 

 

2. Amankwah, A. S., J.I., Abudulai., Opare, D.-L. A., & Demuyakor, J. (2024). Social Media for COVID-19 Era Information Collection, and Dissemination: A Case Study of Three Tertiary Hospitals in Ghana. Journal of Digital Media & Interaction, 7(16). https://doi.org/10.34624/jdmi.v7i16.35953