Veteran broadcaster Akushika Acquaye has called on women working in the media industry to take a more active role in challenging harmful stereotypes and advocating for gender equality in their reporting, leadership roles and influence on public perception. Her comments highlight the importance of responsible media representation in shaping societal views about women and gender roles. (Source: GhanaWeb)
Acquaye, who has spent many years in journalism and media leadership, spoke at an event where she addressed professionals and students about the evolving role of women in media and the impact of their work on public opinion. She said that although progress has been made in increasing women’s presence in media organisations, there is still a need for female media practitioners to use their platforms to promote fairness, inclusion and balanced portrayals. (Source: GhanaWeb)
According to Acquaye, women in media have a responsibility not only to report news accurately but also to question cultural norms and narratives that reinforce gender bias. She said that without deliberate efforts to counter stereotypes about women, media content can inadvertently support traditional roles that limit women’s participation in leadership, politics, economic decision-making and other areas of public life. (Source: GhanaWeb)
Acquaye noted that gender equality in media extends beyond newsroom representation and into story selection, framing and commentary. She urged female journalists, editors and producers to highlight stories that reflect women’s achievements, voices and perspectives, particularly in sectors where women’s contributions have historically been underreported. (Source: GhanaWeb)
In addition, she encouraged women in media leadership to mentor and support younger female professionals, saying that strengthened networks and capacity building are key to ensuring that media institutions reflect gender diversity at all levels. Acquaye emphasised that this approach would help build confidence among women to pursue careers in areas such as political reporting, investigative journalism and editorial decision-making. (Source: GhanaWeb)
Participants at the event welcomed Acquaye’s remarks, with many noting that media plays a powerful role in shaping cultural attitudes and that progress towards equality will require collaborative efforts from all media stakeholders. Some attendees also highlighted ongoing challenges, such as workplace discrimination, gender pay disparities and limited access to senior roles for women. They echoed the idea that change must be both structural and cultural. (Source: GhanaWeb)
Acquaye’s message underlined that while there have been important gains in women’s presence in media, sustained and purposeful action is needed to ensure that media content and leadership truly reflect the value of gender equality and empower women across society. (Source: GhanaWeb)
