By Seli Baisie and Hannah Dadzie
The Dikan Center has launched HerPress, a groundbreaking three-month fellowship programme designed to equip and empower 20 women journalists in Ghana.
Launched today, June 20, 2025, the maiden edition of HerPress aims to tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by women in the media, including gender bias, workplace harassment, unequal pay, and limited access to leadership roles.
Through targeted training, mentorship, and community-building, fellows will gain skills in investigative journalism, ethical reporting, leadership, and journalist safety.
The programme will also support the production of practical journalism projects focused on underreported topics such as gender-based violence, public health, and human rights.
Speaking at the launch event in Osu, Accra, Founder and Executive Director of Dikan Center, Mr. Paul Ninson, said the initiative is a response to the systemic inequalities women face in Ghana’s media space.
“Many women journalists, though talented, are pushed to the backbench. They face sexual harassment, unequal opportunities, and have to fight hard to be heard,” he said. “HerPress is not just about training. It’s about giving women the space and support to lead, tell stories that matter, and influence change.”
Mr Ninson also revealed that Dikan had to turn down grants that demanded women be excluded. “I’ll never bow to pressure when it comes to supporting women in journalism,” he stated.
The programme is being funded by the Australian High Commission. Australia’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Ms Berenice Owen-Jones, reaffirmed her country’s commitment to gender equality and media freedom.
“We believe empowering women is not just the right thing to do. It’s the smart thing to do,” she said. “When women journalists are empowered, the truth is more likely to be told.”
She acknowledged the distinct risks women in the media face, from discrimination and harassment to threats of violence, which often push them away from politics and investigative reporting. “Unfortunately, those are exactly the areas where we need their voices the most,” she added.
The launch event brought together media professionals, government officials, advocacy groups, and international partners. It featured a panel discussion and a call to action for greater investment in inclusive journalism.
The fellowship will conclude with the HerPress Summit, an annual gathering to showcase the work of women journalists and drive continued support for gender equity in the media.
“This programme is a seed,” Mr Ninson said. “With the right support, it will grow into something much bigger, a movement that transforms journalism in Ghana.”
