Associate Prof. Etse Sikanku

Associate Prof. Etse Sikanku is the Media and Communications Advisor of CAPS-WA, where he advises the founder and the executive team on media engagement and outreach. He is an Associate Professor of Journalism and Communication at the University of Media, Arts and Communication-Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ), Ghana. He holds a PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Iowa, a master’s degree in Journalism and Communication Studies from Iowa State University, and a BA in Political Science (First Class) from the University of Ghana, Legon. He was the recipient of the 2011 Outstanding Doctoral Student Award for Research from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa.

Associate Prof Sikanku is a pioneering scholar of political communication, media representation, political reporting, and international communication in Ghana. His research has been published in globally recognised journals, including the International Journal of Communication, Howard Journal of Communication, International Communication Research Journal, Communication and the Public, and Journal of Black Studies. His expertise extends to political framing, campaign communication, and comparative communication. His book, The Afrocentric Obama and Lessons on Political Campaigning, was featured in a Harvard University book talk in 2016, and he has been a guest speaker at renowned institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, and Iowa State University. His most recent book is ‘Dr Bawumia and the Modern Vice Presidency in Ghana’ (2024).

Prof. Sikanku brings a wealth of practical experience to CAPS-WA, as he continues to engage in journalism, hosting television shows, radio talk shows, and working as a special assignment reporter. He has also served as an international correspondent, notably covering the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Presidential elections for CITI FM. His work has contributed significantly to public discourse and policy at both national and international levels, focusing on the role of communication in democratic deliberation and political crises.

As Media and Communications Advisor, Prof. Sikanku oversees the center’s strategic communications, ensuring that CAPS-WA’s mission, research, and programs are effectively communicated to stakeholders and the public. His deep understanding of political and international communication enhances CAPS-WA’s efforts to advocate for sustainable security in West Africa.