Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, has called for stronger recognition of women in Ghana’s media industry, stressing the persistent barriers to career advancement for female journalists.
Speaking at the Academic Women Foundation Conference at the Accra International Conference Centre, Ms. Muslim noted that many women remain stuck in the same roles for years, without opportunities to rise into editorial or managerial positions.
“You can work as a broadcast journalist for ten years and never become an editor, managing editor, or head of any department,” she remarked.
She welcomed the growing gender balance in the media, particularly in morning show hosting once dominated by men. However, she pointed out that female co-hosts are still often overshadowed by their male colleagues, despite in many cases having superior achievements.
“I know a number of female co-hosts who have won more awards in reporting than their male co-hosts, yet producers still refer to the men as the ‘main hosts’” she explained.
Despite these obstacles, Ms. Muslim expressed optimism about the future of women in media, citing their rising visibility and excellence on screen. “When you turn on your TV today, you’ll notice that more women are on screen, and they are excelling because of their brilliance. This gives us hope for the industry,” she said.
She further highlighted technology as a game-changer, noting that digital tools are opening new opportunities for women in journalism and beyond. “Technology has become a powerful tool for women to create opportunities for themselves,” she concluded.
