Evans Mensah took a break from his successful radio career to pursue his master’s at LSE. He is now Assisting News Editor at JOY FM and runs his own radio programme. He has won both local and international recognition for his work, and was voted Ghana’s Radio News Personality of the Year in December 2013.

You recently created a hit radio show. Can you tell us a bit about the programme?

Ghana Connect started while I was at LSE, emanating from my Audience class taught by Professor Sonia Livingstone. I was fascinated by the power relationship that existed between the media and its audience. 

Having explored that academically I wanted to create a programme that puts the audience at the heart of the “professional code”, setting the agenda while staying connected to authority. 

Social media is central to the show: we designed it to bring the blogosphere into mainstream media, enabling citizens affected by issues to directly ask questions of someone in authority. Recently, the President, John Mahama used us as a reference point to answer a media question. I call it the manifestation of what Charlie Beckett might describe as “Network Journalism”.

What have been the highlights of your professional career? 

The story that won me the CNN African Journalist Awards commendation. It was about a seven-year-old boy sold by his mother into slavery. Thanks in part to that story, the boy was rescued and a fund set up to put him through school. 

Also, in 2012 a documentary of mine about the plight of an entire community without potable drinking water led to a borehole being commissioned. It now provides clean, potable drinking water for the whole community. These stories are the highlights of my career. 

Why did you choose to study at LSE?

One word. Prestige! I wanted to be associated with a recognised, powerful, global brand in academic excellence. LSE is among the elite global institutions of higher education. For somebody desiring to study media and communications, its location at the heart of London surrounded by global media powerhouses was an irresistible prospect. I had easy access to the BBC which was just across the street and spent a month’s professional attachment there at the end of the academic year.

What in particular stood out about your LSE education?

It has defined everything I do now. The MSc programme taught the value of intense intellectual scrutiny and to question everything. You need these attributes to succeed as a broadcast journalist. I must say I feel far more equipped to take on all my professional responsibilities now than ever before.

What is your favourite LSE location? 

I loved the LSE Library. I have plenty fond memories of that location. Indeed, one cold, wet and dark London night, I met my future wife there.

Do you have a favourite LSE academic?

Professor Sonia Livingstone. She is the reason the Audience class was my favourite. She is a permanent feature on my CV as a referee and I still follow her work. She is simply fascinating.

What is your advice for people interested in pursuing a career in broadcast journalism? 

Get inspired. A lot of what you learn comes through observation. Find role models in the field. Watch and listen to them and learn. And never take your audience for granted, they can make or break you.