Gloria Anderson
The Women Experts in Media Conference, organised by the Ghana Women Experts Project in collaboration with the British Academy and City St. George’s University, has reignited calls for greater representation of women in the media. The event, held in Accra, brought together academics, media professionals, and female experts to discuss the systemic underrepresentation of women in Ghana’s media landscape.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo of the University of Ghana’s Communication Studies Department emphasised the urgent need for a shift in journalism culture to ensure gender-balanced media representation. She stated that it is essential to ensure women’s voices are heard in all spaces where national conversations take place.
Findings from the Ghana Women Experts Project show that women account for only 15 percent of experts interviewed across Ghanaian media houses, despite their significant presence in academia, politics, and professional fields. The study also highlighted that TV3, with three percent, and Peace FM, with eight percent, had the lowest representation of female experts, further underscoring the deep-seated gender disparities in media discourse.
A high-profile panel discussion featured former PPP running mate Bridget Dzogbenuku, legal practitioner Clara Kasser-Tee, actress Lydia Forson, and politician Janet Nabla, all of whom shared their experiences navigating Ghana’s male-dominated media landscape.
Clara Kasser-Tee lamented the intense backlash women face when they appear in the media, stating that it often discourages female participation. She further criticised the media’s tendency to pit women against each other, calling for a more supportive and inclusive environment.
Lydia Forson, speaking on women’s preparedness for media engagements, urged women to build their expertise and add value to themselves. She advised that it is not enough to just show up but to be prepared and command respect in every media appearance.
Janet Nabla called on the media to amplify discussions on the Affirmative Action Law, arguing that the current appointment of women in leadership roles does not reflect true gender inclusivity. While acknowledging the challenges, she encouraged women to continue accepting media invitations, as persistent engagement is key to increasing female representation.
A second panel discussion, featuring Gloria Anderson of GBC, Alfred Ocansey of Media General, and Martha Crentsil Acquah of Multimedia Group, sought to explain the media’s preference for male guests over female experts.
Martha Crentsil Acquah revealed that private media houses prioritise business interests, often selecting guests based on audience engagement and ease of access. She explained that producers tend to go with those who are easy to get and manage, and unfortunately, women are more difficult to secure for media engagements.
Gloria Anderson of GBC added that many women are hesitant to accept media invitations, making it difficult for producers to achieve gender balance. She noted that sometimes it takes up to an hour to convince a woman to be on a show, whereas men are always ready and available. She urged women to take charge of their representation and actively participate in public discourse.
Alfred Ocansey of Media General pointed out that political parties often decide who represents them in media discussions, and they predominantly select men. He further stated that private media operates on a numbers-driven model, making it challenging to justify gender balance when male guests often attract higher ratings.
The Women Experts in Media Conference underscored the pressing need for systematic change to ensure women’s voices are amplified in national conversations. While some panelists argued that women must be more proactive, others insisted that media houses must actively create spaces for female experts.
With women making up a significant portion of Ghana’s professional and academic workforce, stakeholders at the conference agreed that a collective effort is required to bridge the gender gap in media representation. Professor Gadzekpo’s call for a culture shift in journalism was met with resounding support, reinforcing the idea that true gender equality in media can only be achieved through deliberate action and commitment from both women and media practitioners alike.
One Response