The Department of Communication Studies has held its 2nd biennial virtual conference to provide a platform for reflecting on the emerging trends in the media and communication spaces globally and in Africa in particular, as powered by fast evolving technology.
The three-day conference, held under the theme “The African Youth and Communicative Behaviours in Digital Spaces”, afforded young African academics and industry leaders the opportunity to interact.
In his opening remarks, Provost of the College of Education, Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, commended the Department for hosting the Conference for the second time and for the most recent launch of the state of the Ghanaian Media Report. Noting the challenges associated with bringing researchers, editors and scholarly publishers together,
Provost of the College of Education, Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, speaking during the opening plenary
Prof. Codjoe was delighted that a special colloquium was planned to address this challenge. “As the University continues in its efforts to position itself as a research-intensive university that impacts its world, such conversations have become critical to enable young scholars share their research”, he said.
In her welcome address at the opening ceremony, Dr. Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, Head, Department of Communication Studies, noted the timeliness of the theme, as digital technologies have transformed the ways that young Africans communicate, create, consume, and share information. She outlined the objectives of the Conference, one of which was to promote the research output of African scholars.
Dr. Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, Head, Department of Communication Studies (Right)
“With this interest in research productivity, we are proud to announce that TiMC 2021 resulted in a special issue publication of the Journal of Communication, Media and Society. This year, we have secured an agreement to publish a special issue in the Ghana Social Science Journal. We look forward to producing an insightful collection of timely research”, Dr. Yeboah-Banin stated.
The keynote address was delivered, by Professor Tanja Bosch of the University of Cape Town. In her address, Professor Bosch expatiated on how digital media is a primary avenue for networking, self-expression, the pursuit of economic and other opportunities, as well as civic engagement and action amongst African youth.
Drawing on examples from South Africa, she highlighted African youth’s use of social media as a central tool in cultural citizenship, engaging in romantic relationships and galvanizing public opinion on social and political matters.
Prof. Tanja Bosch of the University of Cape Town (Right)
Plenary sessions were held throughout the Conference on youth and the social media influencer trends, women as online microcelebrities, digitalisation and citizen engagement in Nigeria as well as other interesting presentations.
