By Vivian Amoah
The Vice President Elect of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Rebecca Ekpe, has encouraged women journalists to build confidence and take up leadership roles within newsrooms across Ghana.
She made the call when she appeared on GBC’s Women’s Voice programme on Wednesday, 2nd July, 2025. The show, hosted by Gloria Anderson, discussed the theme, “Breaking Newsroom Ceilings: Women Who Won GJA Elections.”
Rebecca Ekpe shared her journey of rising through the ranks to become Vice President of the GJA, highlighting the challenges she faced and how she overcame gender-related barriers in the newsroom. She noted that women often hesitate to contest leadership positions due to fear of criticism, societal pressures, and the perception that journalism leadership is reserved for men.
“I want to encourage young female journalists to build their capacities, pursue higher education, and join professional networks that will prepare them for leadership,” she stated.
Rebecca also emphasized the importance of mentorship for young female journalists, noting that having role models and guidance helps them to remain focused despite the challenges in the media space. She called on media organisations to create an enabling environment for women to thrive, including providing opportunities for women to handle major editorial responsibilities and to cover a variety of beats.
She assured viewers that, as Vice President of the GJA, she would continue to advocate for gender equality within the association and work to promote ethical journalism and professional development for all journalists.
The programme, which was aired live on GTV and streamed across GBC’s online platforms, provided insights into the journey of women leaders within the media and inspired discussions on promoting gender equity within Ghana’s journalism landscape.
