Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, has called for greater structural support to ensure career progression for women in Ghana’s media industry.
Speaking at the She Builds Conference organised by The Academic Woman Foundation held in Accra on Wednesday, September 10, she reflected on the challenges and opportunities facing female journalists.
According to her, while the media landscape has improved over the last decade with more female voices in current affairs and morning shows, many women still struggle to rise beyond entry and mid-level positions.
“Ten years ago, you would find very few female voices and faces doing current affairs. Even at the time that I was hosting Eyewitness News, I and a few others were literally the face of hardcore politics in Ghana,” she said.
Shamima explained that a lack of career progression often pushes talented female journalists out of the industry.
“You can stay as a broadcast journalist for 10 years of your life in the newsroom and remain just that — not an editor, not a senior editor, not a managing editor, or not even the head of anything,” she lamented.
She however acknowledged that the industry is gradually evolving. “Now we are seeing more female faces in current affairs and in morning shows. The formats have changed. Before, it was only one male hosting a morning show, but now there is more balance,” she noted.
The She Builds Conference focused on the theme: “Women in Entrepreneurship, Law, Built Environment and Engineering: Where Are We Now, Where Are We Going, and What Do We Need to Do?” and featured contributions from leaders in politics, media, and academia.
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