"There is no room for all-male panels in this day and age," says Professor Audrey Gadzekpo of the University of Ghana's School of Communication Studies.
Addressing a diverse audience of journalists, media executives, and advocacy groups at the Ghana Women Experts in Media Conference in Accra, Professor Gadzekpo lamented the persistent shortage of women's voices in Ghana's mainstream media, describing the trend as "abysmal." She cited examples of news discussions where women's perspectives are either absent or dismissed, particularly on topics that directly affect them. "Women are consistently absent from these spaces, sending a message that their expertise is less valuable," Prof.
Gadzekpo said.
She questioned claims that digital and social media offer a complete solution to this imbalance, warning that these platforms can be hostile environments for women, marked by "harassment, trolling, and doxxing." She reiterated the critical role that "traditional media plays in shaping public opinion," noting it remains the primary source of information for many Ghanaians due to limited internet access in some regions.
