Dr Abubakari Sidick Ahmed, former Station Manager of Radio Univers, has passed away at the age of 63.
Popularly known as Alhaji, he died on Monday, February 16, 2026. His death was confirmed by his widow, Naziha Alhassan.
Speaking to Radio Univers, she said he passed away at about 10:15 a.m. at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, where he had been receiving treatment in recent days.
He will be buried in accordance with Islamic traditions.
A life devoted to campus broadcasting
For more than three decades, Dr Ahmed dedicated his professional life to Radio Univers, the campus-based station of the University of Ghana.
He began as a student volunteer reporter and steadily rose through the ranks — serving as Producer, Editor, and eventually Station Manager. He holds the distinction of being the longest-serving staff member in the station’s history.
His leadership was marked by discipline, mentorship, and a strong commitment to ethical journalism. Under his guidance, Radio Univers became one of the most respected training grounds for young broadcasters in Ghana and across West Africa.
Though he formally stepped away from active management last year, colleagues describe him as a constant presence — a mentor, adviser, and institutional memory for generations of student journalists.
A farewell before the final goodbye
In what many now see as a poignant tribute, Radio Univers alumni organised a dinner in his honour on June 6, 2025, just days after his birthday. The event celebrated his decades of service and brought together distinguished personalities from academia, media, and the judiciary.
Among those present was Supreme Court Justice Henrietta Joy Abena Nyarko Mensa-Bonsu, alongside leading scholars and former students whose careers he helped shape.
Transforming Radio Univers
As Station Manager, Dr Ahmed oversaw significant transformation at the station. Despite persistent funding challenges, he maintained regulatory compliance and kept the semi-autonomous station operational for over two decades without a single infraction.
He spearheaded the renovation of the radio studios and led the establishment of a television studio equipped with modern broadcast technology. He introduced online streaming and expanded the station’s digital footprint, extending its reach beyond campus to a global audience.
Under his leadership, flagship programmes such as Behind the Headlines, Interrogating Africa, Research & Innovation Agenda, and Knowledge Café strengthened the bridge between academia and society.
Through structured mentorship and a strict code of conduct, he cultivated professionalism in reporting, production, and presentation. Many alumni of Radio Univers now work at major media houses in Ghana and internationally.
National recognition
Dr Ahmed’s contribution to journalism and media education earned him national honours. In 2001, he received the Order of the Volta (Civil Division), conferred by former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
He was also a recipient of the Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Award from the University of Ghana.
Scholar, mentor, nation-builder
Beyond broadcasting, Dr Ahmed contributed to media scholarship through research, publications, and conference presentations focused on journalism ethics and media practice. Since 1992, he played a central role in shaping media education at the University of Ghana.
His former colleagues describe him not just as an administrator, but as a moral compass — someone who believed journalism should serve the public with integrity.
A lasting legacy
Dr Abubakari Sidick Ahmed leaves behind a stronger Radio Univers, a generation of journalists trained in discipline and ethical practice, and a media industry deeply influenced by his mentorship.
His legacy is measured not only in years of service, but in the many voices he helped find their own.
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