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Abantu urges journalists to promote gender equity
Abantu for Development, a women centered NGO has underscored the need for aspiring journalists to familiarize themselves with gender-sensitive reporting from the onset of their career.
According to the group, the training of journalists must also focus more on raising awareness on gender issues because of its relevance in the society, especially in developing countries where women are often the driving change agents on the ground.
This call was made during a day’s workshop for female media practitioners held at the Yiri Lodge, Legon, Accra last week.
It was organised by Abantu for Development with support from the University of Bristol.
As a main component of the training, a historic film to challenge misrepresentation of women centered issues and gender activism in Ghana was screened for participants and learn and share their views.
The non-fictional film, titled “When Women Speak” directed by prominent film director, Ms Aseye Tamakloe featured powerful Ghanaian women including wife of the late former president of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, former editor of the Daily Graphic, member, Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT) Madam Ekua Ansah-Eshon, Executive Director Salt and Light Ministries, Ms Joyce Rosalind Aryee and Professor Dzodzi Tsikata, founding member, NETRIGHT.
The documentary challenges perceptions that Ghanaian women’s activism around existential and political issues was of more recent or originated from the western world.
It traces 16 women who came of age in the 1960s and 1970s and follows their experiences narrated in their own words, as Ghana passed through periods of military, single-party and multi-party rule.
Director, Abantu for Development, West Africa Region, Dr Rose Mensah-Kutin said women’s contribution towards development could not be underrated, adding that all women must join forces “so that our voices can be heard in every part of the world.”
She also called on men to join the fight for gender equity.
She also revealed that “When Women Speak” was available online for free on https/whenwomenspeakfilm.com.
On her part, a representative of the University of Bristol, Professor Kate Skinner commended participants for their input to the workshop, which she described as mind opening and hoped that the film would change negative perceptions about women empowerment in Ghana and the world at large.
Meanwhile journalists who benefitted from the workshop expressed gratitude to organisers for the training and assured that they would focus more on gender sensitive issues in their various news coverages.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
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Focus on more pressing issues like Galamsey, not hate speech – Ellen Ama Daaku to Mahama
An aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,Ellen Ama Daaku has advised President John Dramani Mahama to shift his attention from social media hate speech to more urgent national issues such as illegal mining.
Speaking in an interview, she noted that the President’s recent comments about tracking the IP addresses of people who spread hate speech were unnecessary.
According to her, President Mahama must first define what he considers to be hate speech before seeking to punish people for it.
Ms. Daaku argued that the President himself had benefitted from hate speech and social media attacks in the past when he was in opposition.
She said even during his time in government, he described his opponents and their tribesmen in unpalatable terms, which later drew complaints from former President Nana Akufo-Addo to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
She stressed that harsh criticism of leaders on social media should not automatically be considered hate speech, adding that former leaders, including former President Nana Akufo-Addo had all been subjected to it.
“He is only feeling what Nana Akufo-Addo went through for eight years,” she remarked.
While acknowledging the need to regulate misconduct online, Ms. Daaku insisted that going after social media activists should not be a priority.
She noted that many political activists, including herself, had been insulted and attacked online but never called for arrests.
She concluded that President Mahama should focus his energy on solving pressing problems such as galamsey and the economy instead of concentrating on critics on social media.
By: Jacob Aggrey
