Real Sharp

West African Adinkra Symbols  According google, African heritage is rich and deep in culture. One of the most popular parts of the African culture is the  https://www.adinkrasymbols.org/ . Symbols are a visual representation of an idea, spiritual meaning, or emotions.  Although there are many stories on the origin of Adinkra symbols, their significance and meaning in the culture are not debated.  The Adinkra symbols are not just decorative objects on fabric, buildings, or decor, but they convey ancient traditional wisdom about life, philosophical thoughts, and aspects of the environment. Adrinkra Symbols on Fabrics  Adinkras are visual symbols or ideographs that represent concepts and aphorisms originating from the Akan people, the dominant ethnic group of present-day Ghana, and the Ivory Coast located in West Africa. Some of the symbols have meanings linked to proverbs such as the  https://www.adinkrasymbols.org/ . SANKOFA, in the Twi language, means to “R...

Media Literacy and Critical Thinking.  Critical thinking is crucial in media consumption because it allows individuals to analyze and evaluate the information presented to them, rather than passively accepting it as truth. Here are a few real-life illustrations and examples to illustrate this point: Identifying Bias: When consuming news from different sources on a controversial topic, critical thinking helps discern the underlying bias of each outlet. For example, during a political campaign, various news channels may report on the same event but spin it differently based on their political affiliations. By critically analyzing the language, sources, and tone of the coverage, individuals can better understand the biases at play and form a more well-rounded perspective. Fact-Checking: In today's age of rapid information sharing on social media, critical thinking is essential to sift through misinformation and disinformation. For instance, during the global pandemic, numerous peopl...

Ghana Sacks Chris Hughton after Abysmal Performance in the AFCON. Image  from Punch Newspaper  Ghana’s coach Chris Hughton was fired following the Black Stars’ early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations. Hughton’s team only managed two points and finished third in Group B after losing all three of their group stage games in Cote D’Ivoire. The Ghana Football Federation said in a statement on Tuesday that the executive council made the decision to fire the Englishman. “The senior national team’s head coach, Chris Hughton, has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) announces. The Black Stars’ technical team will be dissolved, as decided by the executive council”, the statement said. “The Ghana Football Association will in the coming days provide a roadmap on the future direction of the Black Stars,” according to the statement. As one of the top third-placed teams, Ghana still had a chance to advance beyond Mozambique, despite t...

Reflecting on this semester's journey in journalism, I'm struck by how transformative the experiences and challenges have been. From initial uncertainties to moments of triumph, each step has contributed to my growth as a budding journalist. The semester began with excitement as I delved into the dynamic world of journalism. Interviewing diverse individuals and crafting compelling narratives became my daily routine. The pursuit of truth, accuracy, and relevance guided every article, instilling a sense of responsibility integral to the journalistic profession. A significant lesson was the importance of adaptability. The ever-evolving news landscape required swift pivots in response to emerging stories. Whether covering local events or global issues, staying agile and open-minded allowed me to produce timely and impactful pieces. Collaboration played a pivotal role, broadening my perspective and enriching my storytelling. Constructive feedback became a valuable tool for improveme...

Students suddenly finding themselves short of cash to pay school fees has been a common and recurring problem in many universities in Ghana. Such a situation usually creates unnecessary stress for affected students especially during the time leading to examinations. While some students genuinely do not receive full fees from their parents or guardians on time, many other students are also known to mismanage the money meant for their fees. Some of such students have confirmed quietly to this reporter that indeed they use their school fees for other things. According to one student of the African University College of Communications (AUCC) who preferred not to be named, she "borrowed" her school fees hoping that she would replace the amount before the time for examinations. "It has been peer pressure that has led me into misspending my fees and now I am denying myself access to write my semester examination", she said. A Level 400 student, who runs an online business,...

Source : Pew Research Center  An online newsroom is a digital area that functions as a central repository for media and information about a news organisation and can be found on its website. It offers simple access to press releases, official comments, high-resolution photos, videos, and other materials for reporters, journalists, and the general public. As a journalist there are few sets of ethical guidelines or policies that I would consider necessary for my online newsroom.  To begin with, Accuracy and Verification: The first ethical guidelines I would create for my online newsroom is I will ensure information accuracy by fact checking on multiple reliable sources before publishing to maintain the highest journalistic standards. Secondly Transparency, here I would make sure, I clearly disclose sources, conflicts of interest, and any potential biases to maintain trust with my audience. Thirdly, there would be Fairness and Impartiality: I will Present diverse perspectives an...