Communications Consultant and Professor at the Department of Communication Studies, University of Ghana, Audrey Gadzekpo, has called for reforms to Ghana’s tertiary education regulations to allow greater participation of industry practitioners in university teaching.
Her remarks come amid growing calls within the media and communications sector for a closer alignment between academic training and professional practice, particularly as concerns mount over graduates lacking practical, job-ready skills.
Speaking at the Media Convergence event organised by the Africa Media Bureau on Wednesday, April 29, Prof Gadzekpo said current requirements set by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) risk limiting the involvement of experienced industry professionals in tertiary institutions.
“We need to talk to GTEC because it has to change some of its conditions so that it creates more room for practitioners to be part of a school’s faculty, but not necessarily have a PhD,” she said.
Under existing guidelines, the minimum qualification for a tertiary tutor is an MPhil, with a PhD often required for senior academic roles — a standard critics argue prioritises theory over hands-on expertise.
Prof Gadzekpo stressed that while academic qualifications remain essential, they should not come at the expense of practical knowledge.
“There is a place for qualified PhD because we need the theoretical aspects, so do we need the practitioners. So, GTEC too must be lobbied to be less rigid in that regard,” she added.
She noted that finding individuals who possess both extensive industry experience and doctoral-level qualifications remains a significant challenge, particularly in journalism training.
“It is very difficult to get somebody who has the skill sets from the industry, and also has a PhD. Even for people who train journalists, many of them are talking theory rather than practical things,” she explained.
Beyond regulatory changes, Prof Gadzekpo also urged the private sector to play a more active role in strengthening media education through partnerships and investment.
“I think that industry should have an interest in investing and partnering with the schools to make sure that they are equipped. After all the products are going back to the industry,” she said.
