2nd POWA FORUM
The media has contributed significantly towards shaping national identity, popular culture and political discourses in Ghana since the independence struggle.
Prior to Ghana attaining self-determination, the print media was a pivotal tool for political mobilization; such as the Accra Evening News established by Kwame Nkrumah in 1948. Similarly, the Daily Graphic established in 1950, was positioned to offer a politically neutral perspective to news reporting.
60 years after independence and 25 years into the Fourth Republic, the Ghanaian media landscape has been perceived to be male dominated effectively marginalizing women and minorities in political discourses.
Despite the liberalization of the media since 1992, and successive governments’ efforts to increase women’s participation in politics, only marginal levels have been achieved representing an average of only 10 percent of Parliamentarians being women.
In the 61st year of our independence, The Second POWA FORUM asked the question; how has the media impacted on the participation of women in politics?
broadening the empowerment of women through our objectives including:
- To undertake programs, campaigns, workshops and other project initiatives to address issues affecting women’s equal inclusion in the political and socioeconomic development of Ghana.
- To campaign through research and advocacy for the protection of women's rights and support for affirmative action.
- To monitor the implementation of multilateral gender-based agreements that are consistent with the vision and mission of POWA.
- To campaign for the adoption of gender affirmative policies consistent with the UN Sustainable Development Goals by undertaking policy reviews and analysis of national and international developments affecting women.
- To undertake projects that will enhance the representation and participation of women at all levels of governance.
