From the newsrooms of ADARS FM in Kintampo and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s radio B.A.R in Sunyani to corporate communications at Newmont Ghana Gold Limited and community advocacy with Advocates for Community Alternatives, Richard Kofi Boahen’s nearly three-decade journey is a testament to the power of strategic communication, impactful storytelling, and unwavering commitment to community transformation.
Mr. Richard Kofi Boahen is an accomplished Media and Communications Specialist with nearly three decades of extensive experience in journalism, corporate communications, public relations and civil society advocacy. His professional journey spans the public, private and non-profit sectors, with significant contributions to national media development, mining communications, youth-focused initiatives, and community development work.
Richard began his media career in the late 1990s as a newscaster and reporter with ADARS FM in Kintampo in the Bono East Region before joining the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio B.A.R in Sunyani as a News Reporter. During his time with GBC, he earned recognition for his strong storytelling skills, in-depth reportage, and commitment to highlighting development issues across the then Brong Ahafo Region. Over a five-year period, he provided in-depth coverage of socio-economic and developmental issues across the region, producing news reports and feature stories for both local and national audiences.
Corporate communications
In November 2007, he transitioned into corporate communications when he joined Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (Ahafo Mine). At Newmont, he worked in several progressively responsible roles, including Internal Communication Officer, External Communications Officer, and Acting Senior Communications Officer. His work involved media relations, internal communication strategy, event management, crisis communication, stakeholder engagement, mine tour facilitation, and community-focused development communication.
During his stay in Newmont, Richard also served as Communications Officer for the Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF), where he developed and implemented NADeF’s two-year communications strategy, produced newsletters, managed the Foundation’s website, and coordinated the “Grand Commissioning” of NADeF-funded projects in November 2011.
Beyond the mining sector, Richard has played key roles in civil society’s communication. For instance, he served as Communications Manager for the Global Media Foundation (GLoMeF), a human rights and media advocacy organization. From 2024 to date, he has been mentoring adolescent journalists in Sunyani under GloMeF’s Resilient City for Adolescents Project, nurturing the next generation of socially aware media practitioners.
Richard’s contributions to higher education communications are equally noteworthy. Since 2017, he has worked with Sunyani Technical University (STU) in various capacities, including National Service Person, Part-Time Marketing & Recruitment Officer, and later as Senior Administrative Assistant in the Public Relations Office. He supports institutional communications, event coordination, media relations, and outreach activities. At STU, he has drafted speeches, coordinated high-level institutional events, guided outreach programmes to senior high schools, and enhanced the university’s student recruitment strategies. Between 2019 and 2023, he spearheaded a coordinated communications and outreach strategy that significantly boosted student intake at the university.
He sits on several committees, including the Parrot FM Management Committee and STU’s Ad-hoc Committee on the University’s students in private hostels. From 2020 to 2022, he served as a member of STU’s COVID-19 Management Committee.
In April 2023, he joined Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), an international NGO headquartered in Accra, as Communications Specialist. In this role, he supports community rights initiatives, responsible mining advocacy, and capacity-building programmes for local populations. In addition, he provides strategic leadership in the organisation communications pathway.
In addition to his professional engagements, Richard serves as the Board Chairman of JOYAS Divine Academy, a private basic school at Yawhima near Sunyani.
Academic background
A dedicated scholar-practitioner, Richard holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in communication studies (Public Relations option) from the Christian Service University (CSU) in Kumasi.
He also holds diplomas in Journalism and Marketing from the Institute of Business Management and Journalism (IBM&J), in addition to multiple professional certifications in public relations writing, effective public participation, inter-cultural team building and communication skills enhancement.
Capabilities
Richard possesses strong capabilities in developing communication strategies, corporate image building, media relations, crisis communication, community development and public relations writing. His work ethic is grounded in professionalism, creativity, and a deep commitment to social responsibility and community empowerment.
Fluent in English and Twi, Mr. Boahen continues to combine his communication expertise with his passion for social impact, community engagement and youth development. He remains influential in both the media and communications landscape in Ghana.
Driven, versatile, and results-oriented, Richard Kofi Boahen continues to influence the communication landscape in Ghana through strategic communication initiatives, mentorship, and impactful storytelling.
