By Job Ogyigyator
Accra, Ghana — October 29, 2025
Guest Speaker Raymond Smith of AfriMass Network speaking to CSA students during the 2025 Handover Ceremony.
The Communication Studies Association (CSA) of Pentecost University on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, held an impactful Handover Ceremony at SF1, featuring a compelling keynote address from distinguished media personality and entrepreneur, Raymond Smith, CEO and Founder of AfriMass Network. The event marked the symbolic leadership transition within the Association and highlighted a forward-looking conversation on student development, professional readiness, and the evolving demands of the media landscape.
Mr. Smith, who has garnered extensive experience across multiple media networks in Ghana, delivered thought-provoking guidance to CSA students, urging them to cultivate genuine interest in their chosen fields. He explained that interest naturally breeds passion, an essential driver for expanding knowledge beyond one’s primary specialization. In today’s fast-paced world shaped significantly by artificial intelligence and heightened competition, he encouraged students to widen their scope of learning to strengthen their relevance and value on the market. According to him, broad exposure nourishes perspective and enhances one’s ability to stand out in a dynamic industry.
He further underscored the importance of appreciation, especially regarding the financial and emotional investments that families, institutions, and scholarship bodies make to support students’ education. He advised students to quantify the resources invested in them from their first year to their current level, stressing that such appreciation helps reduce wastage and inspires the pursuit of deeper research that contributes to their marketability. For Mr. Smith, gratitude is not just acknowledgment but a call to become responsible stewards of the opportunities granted.
Touching on academic commitment, Mr. Smith reminded students that every form of communication carries expectations. To meet these expectations, students must “own the process” by studying diligently and preparing themselves to be worthy representatives of their discipline. This call to responsibility tied into his broader message on the importance of being active. He emphasized that students must not be passive in their academics or extracurricular engagements. Being active, he explained, involves asking the right questions, seeking clarity, serving when the opportunity presents itself, and exploring unfamiliar spaces that could enhance one’s competency. Drawing from his personal journey at Joy FM, he narrated how his eagerness to venture into the newsroom, despite not being formally trained in the media, enriched his experience and later served as a catalyst for his career advancement. Supporting this point, Madam Miriam added that leadership exists in everyone, regardless of position.
A strong thread that ran through his address was responsibility. Mr. Smith cited the example of Mr. Job Ogyigyator, whose diligence and swift responses to group communications earned trust and created new opportunities for him. From this anecdote, he highlighted the significance of collaboration, association, and partnership, key components captured in the acronym CAP. He noted that in the media world, creating compelling messages is vital, as this draws audiences whose engagement leads to advertising opportunities. Increased advertising ultimately translates to revenue, which fuels growth, much like the evolution of Joy FM into multiple media platforms.
Mr. Smith also encouraged students to take initiative boldly. He stressed that nothing is impossible and reminded them never to underestimate their ability to begin meaningful projects. He advised students to write more, develop programs, and pursue innovative ventures without hesitation, explaining that great achievements begin with action. He encouraged them to engage with emerging issues such as climate change and even suggested pitching related stories to media houses, noting that “No news editor will reject any news.”
To reinforce his message, Mr. Smith introduced two young bloggers who shared their stories. One, a Chartered Accountant, described how his transition into content creation not only reignited his passion but significantly improved his career progression. The other, with a journalism background, emphasized the importance of being proactive, particularly within the media space. Their testimonies illustrated the vast opportunities that exist for individuals willing to embrace the digital landscape with initiative and creativity.
Mr. Smith concluded by warning students that they risk losing relevance if they fail to take action, as their fields are being infiltrated by individuals outside their areas of training who are willing to learn, create, and innovate. His address left the audience energized and motivated to position themselves as solution-driven media professionals equipped to navigate the evolving industry.
The Handover Ceremony culminated in the official transfer of leadership responsibilities within the CSA, signaling a new phase of growth and innovation for student leadership at Pentecost University.
