Twenty-two years ago, I entered the University of Ghana to pursue a bachelor’s degree, even though my true passion was journalism. At the time, the path into broadcasting was clear but demanding.
You either understudied seasoned professionals at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) or earned a place at a campus radio station as a student volunteer, waiting for your opportunity to prove yourself.
At Legon, our version of the BBC was Radio Univers 105.7 FM. It was no small achievement to be selected as a volunteer.
The process was rigorous. From application and interviews to shortlisting and examinations, before the final list was announced. It was competitive, demanding, and deeply formative.
By grace and determination, I secured a slot and specialized in news writing, reporting, and presentation.
My first real encounter with Alhaji Sidick Abubakari Ahmed came after I presented the 12:30 p.m. afternoon news bulletin called Amaniee.
He walked into the studio, leaned closer, and whispered, “Young man, see me after your presentation,” beaming with smiles. I was tense. My mind raced with possibilities of what I might have done wrong.
But when we met, he did not reprimand me. Instead, he encouraged me. He urged me to take the profession seriously, to build my capacity, and to approach journalism with discipline and purpose.
I took his words to heart.
That moment of mentorship became a turning point. His encouragement, and my commitment to act on it, contributed to my growth into one of the regular on-air anchors at the time.
Alhaji was more than a supervisor. He was our mentor, our teacher, our friend and most importantly our boss. He combined humility with firmness.
He demanded excellence, yet he invested patiently in every volunteer. Under his guidance, we did not merely learn how to read the news, we were trained to understand the craft, respect the responsibility, and value the audience.
Today many popular names you know like Bola Ray, Bernard Avle, DJ Black, Moro Awudu, Kwame Gyan, Giovani Caleb, Shamima Muslim, Fred Avornyo , former MP Paul Twum-Barimah , Adisa Lansah, my goodself among many other sharp brains have portrayed true professionalism in their careers because of the training at Radio Univers under the Leadership of Alhaji Sidik Abubakar.
May his legacy continue to resonate in every broadcaster he trained, every newsroom he shaped, and every life he touched.
Rest well, Alhaji.
May the Almighty Allah grant you Jannatul Firdaus without hisab.
