Efya is allowed to change her mind
Efya married Tomi Thomas this week. Some of the reaction dug up an old interview, counted their ages and picked over her body. She owes nobody an explanation.
Research
My dissertation, Framing Psychosis: News Media, Stigma, and the Mechanisms of Public Response in Ghana, pairs a content analysis of ten years of Ghanaian news coverage with an experiment that tests how fear and empathy frames shape stigma and the willingness to recommend help. Related work covers maternal mental health in Accra, contraceptive access across Africa, and depression on short-video platforms.
Selected work
New Jersey public schools show pandemic recovery
New Jersey public schools show pandemic recovery
Data story, Columbia University, 2022
Local News Ecosystem in Oregon
Local News Ecosystem in Oregon
A scrolling map story that walks through the assessment's findings.
One-on-one with CPP presidential candidate Ivor Greenstreet
One-on-one with CPP presidential candidate Ivor Greenstreet
Election 2020 coverage, TV3, September 2020
Blog
The Nima boy who came home in a Rolls-Royce
The obituaries remembered Kofi Wayo as a politician. His real story is Ghanaian migration in one life: Nima, Albany, Detroit, and a flashy homecoming.
Once again, like the ostrich, we put our head in the sand
A Ghanaian father brought his son to the Bronx for a better life, and the boy was shot on his way to school. Mocking the father is easier than asking why so many families leave.
Professional experience
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Summer 2024 and Spring 2026
Research Assistant, Agora Journalism Center, University of Oregon
- Built interactive maps of Oregon news outlets for the Local News and Information Ecosystem project.
- Designed the information graphics for the Florence Civic Information Assessment Report.
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2016 to 2021
Presenter and Anchor, Media General Ghana (TV3 and 3FM 92.7)
- Anchored the flagship bulletins Midday News and News@10, and hosted Hot Issues and Agenda.
- Led the team covering Ghana's 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.
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2012 to 2015
News Editor, Joy News TV
- Ran the news department and the prime-time evening bulletin.
- Anchored and produced PM Express, the nightly hour of current affairs.
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2010 to 2012
PEPFAR Media Specialist, U.S. Embassy Accra
- Coordinated PEPFAR public information across five U.S. agencies.
- Built a system for tracking Ghanaian media coverage of U.S.-funded projects.
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2007 to 2010
Senior Broadcast Journalist and News Editor, Joy FM
- Member, Presidential Press Corps; also covered the development beat, including health, education and food security.
- Founding producer of Hotline, an award-winning documentary series.
Recognition: TV Male Newscaster of the Year, RTP Awards, 2020. Meritorious Honor Award, U.S. Embassy Accra, 2011.
Professional affiliations
- Society for Health Communication
- Society for Judgment and Decision Making
- Society of Professional Journalists
- National Association of Black Journalists
- Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE & NICAR)
- American Federation of Teachers
- Ghana Journalists Association
Education
- Ph.D., Communication and Media Studies, University of Oregonexpected 2027
- M.S., Data Journalism, Columbia University2022
- M.A., Journalism Studies, Cardiff University2005
Contact
Email: smanti@uoregon.edu or sma2263@columbia.edu
ORCID · Google Scholar · SOJC profile · CV (PDF)
