UNIMAC APPOINTS NEW LEADER: Professor Eric Opoku Mensah Takes the Helm as Vice Chancellor
The Governing Council of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) has appointed Professor Eric Opoku Mensah as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university, effective May 13, 2024.
This follows his tenure as Acting Vice-Chancellor since February 8, 2024, succeeding the retired Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo.
UniMAC is the first public university in Ghana established by an Act of Parliament (Act 1059), merging three specialized institutions: the erstwhile Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), Ghana Institute of Languages (GIL), and National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI).
A release from the university stated that Prof. Opoku Mensah brings a visionary approach and high expertise in higher education management to his new role. His extensive background in academia and his leadership acumen position him uniquely to steer UniMAC into a new era of excellence.
The release added that he is driven by the vision to transform the university across various critical areas, including enhancing the overall student experience, expanding infrastructure to meet evolving needs, fostering a culture of cutting-edge research, and forging strategic international collaborations.
Commenting on his new appointment, Prof. Opoku Mensah said, “I am honoured to assume the role of Vice-Chancellor at UniMAC and committed to driving positive change and progress.
“The management I will lead will ensure that UniMAC remains at the forefront of training professionals in the media, arts, and communication disciplines by providing a dynamic and enriching environment for our students, faculty, and staff,” he said.
Prof. Opoku Mensah’s Profile
Academic Background
- Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) Degree in English Language from the University of Cape Coast
- Master of Philosophy Degree in English Language from the University of Cape Coast
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Rhetoric Studies from the Centre for Film and Media Studies, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Research Interests
- Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s pan-African rhetorical enterprise
- Rhetoric and communication studies in Ghana and Africa
Professional Experience
- Acting Vice-Chancellor at UniMAC since February 8, 2024
- Various administrative positions and boards at the University of Cape Coast, erstwhile Ghana Institute of Journalism, and UniMAC
- External Assessor for the National Accreditation Board (NAB), now Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC)
- External Examiner for public and private universities in Ghana
- Visiting scholar at Uppsala University, Sweden
Awards and Grants
- Several grants from the Swedish Council for Higher Education, Education International, Swedish National Bank, The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT), and Uppsala Forum for Democracy, Peace and Justice
Other Activities
- Participant in numerous international and local conferences and workshops on political rhetoric, communication studies, and higher education
- Reviewer for several local and international journals in rhetoric and communication studies
- Served on the technical committee of the Ministry of Information’s Media Capacity Enhancement Programme initiative since 2019
Personal
- Married with children
- Enjoys political debates and has a love for Afro Beats
