Bawumia and the modern Vice Presidency in Ghana – Prof. Etse Sikanku unveils new book

Prof. Etse Sikanku, an Associate Professor of Journalism and Communication at the University of Media, Arts, and Communication-Institute of Journalism, discussed his new book, “Dr. Bawumia and The Modern Vice-Presidency in Ghana,” at a public lecture organized by the Ghana Students Association of Iowa State University.

The book examines the role of the vice presidency in a democratic setting, using Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as a case study. The lecture explored how the vice presidency, often seen as a secondary political position, plays a crucial role in governance. Prof. Sikanku utilized communication theories, particularly framing, to demonstrate how public discourse surrounding African leadership can be shaped.

The inspiration behind the book, according to Prof. Sikanku, stemmed from his intellectual curiosity and a desire to explore a relatively under-researched area in political communication. He noted, “I was interested in the office of the vice presidency and how it can serve as a transformative institution in modern democracies.”

Throughout the lecture, Prof. Sikanku highlighted key lessons from Dr. Bawumia’s career, including values such as inventiveness, empathy, courage, perseverance, humility and a forward-thinking mindset. These values, he argued, are essential for leaders aiming to bring about positive change and transformation in society.

Students who attended the lecture shared their reflections on the event. Evans, a PhD student in Civil Engineering, expressed his appreciation for the lecture: “I think the lecture gave me a better perspective on the role of the vice president in governance. Prof. Sikanku really delved into Bawumia’s leadership attributes, many of which I didn’t know about.”

Kwasi, an M.S. student in Transport Engineering, said, “The lecture was very informative. I learned a lot about Dr. Bawumia’s influence as vice president and how that office impacts modern democracy in Ghana.”

The lecture was graced by notable guests including Prof. Francis Owusu, Head of the Department of Community and Regional Planning, and Prof. David Kwaw-Mensah, an expert in Soil Management from the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University.

Prior to his public lecture, Prof. Sikanku visited the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, where he guest-lectured in a Theories of Mass Communication class taught by Dr. Daniela Dimitrova, a renowned framing and international communication expert.

Prof. Sikanku, a prominent scholar in political communication, earned his PhD from the University of Iowa and his master’s from Iowa State. His work has been published in top-tier journals like the International Journal of Communication and the Howard Journal of Communications. He has also delivered talks at institutions such as Harvard University (Harvard African Law Students Association) and the University of Pennsylvania making him a highly regarded voice in political communication and media representation. He is also a prominent voice on local and international media when it comes to issues of deliberation, civil discourse, political rhetoric and US politics.