By Ashiadey Dotse
Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has stated that national development requires women to actively shape the country’s direction, whether in cabinet, parliament, boardrooms, newsrooms, production studios, or communities across the country.
Speaking at the Forum on Women in Government and Media in Accra on Thursday, February 19, 2026, the Vice President stressed that women must not only be visible in leadership but must also influence decisions that affect national progress.
She explained that visibility alone is not enough if it does not come with influence and standards. According to her, the media plays a powerful role in shaping how society understands power, leadership, competence, and credibility.
She indicated that those who recount narratives do more than report; they organise attention and help determine what is urgent and what is ignored.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that women in the media hold a strategic position because they help shape public debate and decide which stories are treated as serious issues and which are reduced to spectacle.
She acknowledged that leadership is demanding, especially for women who often face extra pressure and scrutiny in public life. However, she encouraged women to remain confident and committed to service.
The Vice President said increasing women’s participation in decision-making spaces can normalise women’s authority, but this must be supported by credibility and public trust. She added that trust is built through accountability, communication, and competence.
She further emphasised that the relationship between women in government and women in the media must be strategic.
According to her, media coverage influences public perception, which in turn strengthens confidence in institutions.
She warned against reducing gender issues to sensational headlines, saying such practices deny the public substance and shrink the space for women in public life.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also described the media as a classroom where citizens learn about governance, economics, health, and public policy. She urged journalists, especially women, to maintain high standards even in the fast-paced digital age.
The Vice President stated that inclusive leadership is a developmental issue, not a symbolic one. Countries that integrate women meaningfully into decision-making, she said, build stronger institutions and achieve more inclusive growth.
She called on experienced women to mentor younger women entering public life and journalism and urged leaders to communicate clearly so citizens can judge their performance based on substance rather than speculation.
She said democratic governance depends on informed citizens, and informed citizens depend on credible journalism and leadership.
