About the book

This book focuses on the values, principles, experiences, communication, outlook and leadership of Vice President Bawumia. Despite the changing dynamics of the presidency in Ghana, there is limited work on the evolving role of the Vice Presidency in one of Africa’s most heralded democracies using an individual as a case study.

This work is a critical examination of Barack Obama’s identity from an Afrocentric perspective. The book does not argue that Obama is African but through a systematic analysis of original data including some major speeches, texts and newspaper representations, it suggests that one of the less researched areas of Obama’s identity..

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Prof. Etse Sikanku is an Associate Professor of Journalism and Communication at the University of Media, Arts and Communication-Institute of Journalism. He obtained his PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Iowa. He holds a master’s degree in journalism and communication studies from Iowa State University and a BA (first class) in Political Science from the University of Ghana, Legon. He received the 2011 outstanding doctoral student award for research from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa.

Prof. Sikanku’s work has appeared in top-rated globally recognized journals such as the International Journal of Communication, Howard Journal of Communication, International Communication Research Journal, Communication and the Public and the Journal of Black Studies. He’s the co-author of an article on political crisis communication in an international crisis communication handbook by the highly recognized Routledge Press. Prof. Sikanku is a scholar of political communication, media representation, political reporting, comparative communication, political framing, campaign communication and international communication. His first book “The Afrocentric Obama and lessons on political campaigning” was the subject of a book talk at Harvard University in the fall of 2016. He was also a guest speaker at the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University and Iowa State University based on his first book.

Sikanku has written, provided extensive scholarship and in-depth analysis on the role of communication (specifically frames) in a variety of local and international media, public and intellectual outlets/platforms. He has also contributed extensively to public discourse and public policy nationally and internationally. In fact, he is one of few scholars who still practice in the field of journalism serving as a television host, special assignment reporter and radio talk show host on national and international issues. He served as an international correspondent for CITI fm during the 2008 and 2014 Presidential elections in the US. He is broadly interested in the role of public communication in national and global affairs particularly in democratic and political deliberation.

 His academic career includes teaching appointments at the University of Ghana Department of Communication Studies and the University of Media, Arts and Communication-Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ).

Reviews

“…gives us a fresh approach to understanding…the man who became America’s first black President.”

Stephen Berry,

Professor Emeritus, University of Iowa and Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist

“Etse Sikanku’s well-researched book offers one explanation for Obama’s success– the political persona, superb image management, and skillful messaging of Barack Hussein Obama. Sikanku argues convincingly that one of the reasons for Obama’s success was his unabashed instrumentalization of his African ancestry–his Africanity–as a tool of political communication.”

Prof. Lyombe Eko,

Professor of Media Law and International Communication, Texas Tech University

“Sikanku identifies, one by one, the building blocks of Obama’s life that made him the candidate and president we know…”

Thomas Grundmeier,

Des Moines Register, (Iowa, USA)

“The book offers keen insights to anyone seeking a more thorough understanding of Obama’s politics.”

Jim Malewitz,

Texas Tribune

“Dr. Sikanku has written a master-piece that will influence people of all walks of life—politicians, media practitioners, students and the pessimists.  This work will surely shape political campaigning globally for years.”

Dr. BossmanAsare,

Head—Department of Political Science, University of Ghana

“Pretty elucidating.”

Evans Mensah,

CNN African Journalist, Ghana Journalist Association Award winner and Head of the Political Desk at JOY NEWS.   

“It leads you on chapter by chapter into a rather absorbing political discourse.”

Gifty Andoh-Appiah,

2013 CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Award—Best TV News Reporter