The University of Maryland lecturer is the first recipient of the African Communication Studies Division's new Early Career Award.

Published 12 Nov 2026, 12:30 GMT

2 min read

Dr Nana Kwame Osei Fordjour, assistant professor of communication at the University of Maryland — Dr Nana Kwame Osei Fordjour of the University of Maryland.

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Dr Nana Kwame Osei Fordjour, a Ghanaian assistant professor at the University of Maryland, has won the first Early Career Award of the NCA's African Communication Studies Division.

The award, set up by the division of the US-based National Communication Association, recognises early-career African researchers in communication studies. He told the Ghana News Agency he will receive it at the association's convention in New Orleans from November 19 to 22.

Dr Osei Fordjour is an assistant professor in the university's Department of Communication. His research covers political public relations, crisis communication and media studies, including how politicians build their image around governance and elections.

He holds a doctorate in communication from the University of New Mexico and a master's in communication studies from the University of Ghana, Legon.

Division chair Professor Godfried Asante said the committee was impressed by his scholarship and service.

"The review committee was impressed by the strength and volume of Dr Osei Fordjour's scholarship, his Africa-centred research agenda in political communication, and his service and mentorship across his department, university and the field of communication."

Dr Osei Fordjour said: "To God be all the glory. I thank Andrew Donkor, who nominated me, and Professor David Weiss, my adviser."

He also thanked his collaborators, department, family and the division's awards committee.

His work has appeared in journals including the Journal of Public Relations Research. He has won top paper awards at AEJMC, NCA, Eastern and Western States conventions, and is junior vice chair of the AEJMC's political communication division.

Before joining academia, he spent more than a decade as a strategic communication consultant to multinational organisations, governments and political candidates across Africa.

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US-based Ghanaian scholar wins inaugural NCA Early Career Award

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