The Department of Communication Studies at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has launched the Language and Communication Trends Talk Series, a new academic platform designed to promote critical discourse on emerging issues in language, media, and communication.
The inaugural lecture, titled “The Death of Truth? Politics, Money, and the Capture of Ghana’s Media,” was held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the LBC Auditorium.
The event brought together students, faculty members, researchers, and communication professionals to examine the growing influence of political and economic interests on media practice in Ghana.
Delivering the maiden lecture, Political and Media Communication Lecturer, Mr. Mohammed Tawfik Adamu, challenged participants to critically examine the evolving relationship between media ownership, truth, and democracy.
He noted that the challenge confronting Ghana’s media is not the disappearance of truth but a shift in those who shape and control public narratives.
He further explained that political, corporate, and institutional interests increasingly influence news production and public discourse.
“Truth is not dying in the Ghanaian media,” Mr Adamu said. “But there is a shift in whoever is shaping the media.”
He further observed that “our realities are manufactured truth from the media,” highlighting the media’s significant role in shaping public perceptions.
Emphasising the implications of media ownership, he remarked that “owners of the media in Ghana own the truth in Ghana,” sparking discussions on editorial independence, media pluralism, and the responsibility of journalists in safeguarding democratic values.
Addressing the role of higher education in strengthening democratic communication, Mr. Adamu urged universities to equip students with the critical thinking and media literacy skills required to navigate today’s complex information ecosystem.
“As academics, we should empower our students on media literacy,” he said, stressing the need to develop discerning media consumers and ethical communication professionals capable of identifying misinformation, disinformation, and biased reporting.
Speaking at the launch, Head of the Department of Communication Studies, Dr. Mohammed Sadat, underscored the central role of language in effective communication, noting that language is a reflection of one’s identity and significantly shapes the impressions others form.
He explained that the Language and Communication Trends Talk Series seeks to deepen conversations around the changing dynamics of language and communication while exposing students to contemporary issues that influence professional practice and society.
The Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies, Professor Godfred Yaw Koi-Akrofi, described the initiative as a timely platform that will enrich academic discourse and encourage collaboration among scholars and industry practitioners.
He noted that the series provides an avenue for students, researchers, faculty members, and communication professionals to exchange perspectives on emerging trends and critical issues affecting language and communication, while contributing to research, innovation, and professional development.
The launch of the Language and Communication Trends Talk Series reflects UPSA’s commitment to fostering intellectual engagement with contemporary communication issues and providing a platform for meaningful dialogue on the challenges and opportunities shaping language, media, and society in Ghana and beyond.
