Women’s Representation in Media in Ghana’s Democratic Governance

Evelyn Nana Ama Asare; Kingsley Senyo Agomor

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16

| Peer-Reviewed

Women’s Representation in Media in Ghana’s Democratic Governance

Evelyn Nana Ama Asare, Kingsley Senyo Agomor

Published in Social Sciences (Volume 12, Issue 3)

Received: 1 April 2023 Accepted: 19 May 2023 Published: 20 June 2023

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Political participation is the linchpin of democratic governance and development. Women are the majority of the population in many countries, including Ghana. However, their participation at various levels in decision-making processes in democratic governance is generally low. This paper focuses on the media through a desk review of relevant theoretical and empirical literature and examines the representation of women in Ghana’s media political landscape. The paper seeks to increase media awareness in Ghana about their role in moulding the public's impressions about women in politics and government, as well as their contribution to the fight for gender equality. The discussion was guided by the theory of representation. The study finds that both men and women receive massive media coverage. However, the media do not focus on women in democratic governance as intelligent individuals who have an impact to make in society; rather, they focus on their appearance, family life, parental status, or marital status. These perspectives create a narrow representation of women to the public. This discourages many women from vying for political positions, as it creates the impression that only men can thrive and succeed in politics. Additionally, the media is a gatekeeper that exposes the ills of government. This motivates politicians to work hard, knowing that they will be held accountable. The study recommends that women be given the same opportunities as men and that they be presented as people with experience and expertise to share. Media practitioners should highlight the positive aspects of women in political leadership.

Published in	Social Sciences (Volume 12, Issue 3) This article belongs to the Special Issue Gender Representation in the Media
DOI	10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16
Page(s)	116-125
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Representation Theory, Gender Equality, Democratic Governance, Stereotype, Media Influence, Politics

References

[1]	Acquaye, P. (2022). Portrayal of violence against women in Ghanaian movies. British Journal of Mass Communication and Media Research, 2 (1), 14-53.
[2]	Akapule, S. A., Achonga, P., & Kwode, P. A. (2020). Media Coverage of Female Parliamentary Candidates in Ghana: An Analysis of the Daily Graphic and The Ghanaian Times Newspapers. International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies. 65-70.
[3]	Avorgbedor, E. S. (2020). Media’s Portrayal of Ghanaian Women in Governance. A Study of Primetime News Programs of Selected Media Houses. Ghana Institute of Journalism.
[4]	Avumegah, A. N. (2017). A Comparative Analysis of the Coverage of Ghana’s Male and Female Ministers in the Media and Why They Made the News. A Dissertation Submitted to the University of Ghana, Legon, in Partial Fulfilment of The Requirement for the Award of Ma Communication Studies Degree.
[5]	Azanu, B. (2017). Transnational Media Articulations of Ghanaian Women: Mapping Shifting Returnee Identities in an Online Web Series. A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Scripps College of Communication of Ohio University in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy.
[6]	Boateng, S. J. (2020). Contemporary Expressions of Populism for Gender Equality in Ghana. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) Volume IV, Issue I. ISSN 2454-6186 www.rsisinternational.org Page 112-119.
[7]	Botchway, K. (2019, March 26). Media Audience Measurement: Retrieved March 22, 2023, from Geopoll.com: https://www.geopoll.com/blog/ghana-media-measurement-top-tv-radio-2018
[8]	British Council Report. (2012). Gender in Nigeria Report 2012: Improving Lives of Girls and Women in Nigeria. Retrieved March 28, 2020, from http:/www.britishcouncil.org/Africa-ng-genderreport-2012
[9]	Darko, K. A. (2023). Speaker admits Minority motion to investigate National Cathedral project. Joy News. Retrieved March 25, 2023 from https://www.myjoyonline.com/speaker-admits-minority-motion-to-investigate-national-cathedral-project/
[10]	Donkor, L. C. S. (2016). Mediating gendered politics: Ghanaian politicians and news discourse. (Unpublished thesis submitted to the University of Liverpool for the degree of Doctor in Philosophy.)
[11]	Fofie, I. V., 2016. Print Media Coverage of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings as a Presidential Candidate in 2011. A Thesis Submitted to the University of Ghana, Legon in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Award of MPhil Communication Studies Degree.
[12]	Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP). (2020). Who Makes the News? Global Media Monitoring Project (6th Ed.). London.
[13]	Hamdaratu, A-M, 2017. The Participation of Women in Democratic Governance in Tamale Metropolis in Ghana. A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Integrated Development Studies, University for Development Studies. In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of a Master of Philosophy Degree in Development Studies.
[14]	Haraldsson, A & Wängnerud, L. 2019. The Effect of Media Sexism on Women’s Political Ambition: Evidence from A Worldwide Study, Feminist Media Studies, 19: 4, 525-541.
[15]	Helgason, B. A., & Effron, D. A. (2022). From critical to hypocritical: Counterfactual thinking increases partisan disagreement about media hypocrisy. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 101, 104308.
[16]	Isbell, T., & Appiah-Nyamekye, J. (2018). Ghanaians rely on radio and TV, but support for media freedom drops sharply. Accra: Afro-Barometer.
[17]	Lei, R. F., Foster-Hanson, E., & Goh, J. X. (2023). A sociohistorical model of intersectional social category prototypes. Nature Reviews Psychology, 1-12.
[18]	Li, A., Farzan, R., Lin, Y. R., Zhou, Y., Teng, X., & Yan, M. (2022). Identifying and Understanding Social Media Gatekeepers: A Case Study of Gatekeepers for Immigration Related News on Twitter. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 6 (CSCW2), 1-25.
[19]	Magallanes-Blanco, C. (2022). Media and Communication Studies. What is there to Decolonize?. Communication Theory, 32 (2), 267-272.
[20]	National Communication Authority. (2017). Retrieved March 26, 2023, from nca.org: https://www.nca.org.gh/assets/Uploads/AUTHORISED-TV-STATIONS-Q3-2017.pdf
[21]	Nartey, K. (2022). JoyNews’ ‘Smugglers Paradise’ exposes customs officers aiding smugglers to loot over ¢300m at borders. Joy News. Retrieved March 18, 2023 from https://www.myjoyonline.com/joynews-smugglers-paradise-exposes-customs-officers-aiding-smugglers-to-loot-over-300m-at-borders/
[22]	Nugroho, W., B. (2020). The Brief Explanation of Representation according Stuart Hall. Udayana Networking. https://udayananetworking.unud.ac.id/lecturer/scientific/1626-wahyu-budi-nugroho/the-brief-explanation-of-representation-according-stuart-hall-1097
[23]	Obeng, H. (2022) Put issues affecting women on front burner – Second Lady tells media. Ghana News Agency. Retrieved from https://gna.org.gh/2022/10/put-issues-affecting-women-on-front-burner-second-lady-tells-media/
[24]	Otieno, A. W., 2013. Challenges and Prospects of Women’s Political Participation in Governance in Africa: Case Study of Kenya. A research paper submitted in partial fulfilment of Masters of Arts International Studies. Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies. University of Nairobi.
[25]	Reporters Without Borders. (2018). Violence Against Journalists legal Framework and Justice System. Retrieved February 25, 2023 from https://rsf.org/en/gambian-government-gives-strong-commitment-media-freedom
[26]	Terrone, E. (2021). Seeing-in and Singling Out: How to Reconcile Pictures with Singular Thought. Pacific Philosophical Quarterly. 102 (3): 378-392.
[27]	Trabelsi, M. (2023). Summary of the E-discussion on Women in politics and the media. iKnowPolitics. 4–8. https://www.idea.int/news-media/news/women-politics-and-media
[28]	Wagner, L., & Banos, J. (1973). A Woman's Place: Follow up Analysis of the roles portrayed by women in magazine advertisements. Journal of Marketing Research, 213-214.
[29]	Yahya, U., Anwar, R. H., & Zaki, S. (2022). The Gendering of Women in the Discourse of Politics: A Case of Political Talk Shows in Pakistan. Pakistan Social Sciences Review, 6 (2), 380-391.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Evelyn Nana Ama Asare, Kingsley Senyo Agomor. (2023). Women’s Representation in Media in Ghana’s Democratic Governance. Social Sciences, 12(3), 116-125. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Evelyn Nana Ama Asare; Kingsley Senyo Agomor. Women’s Representation in Media in Ghana’s Democratic Governance. Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(3), 116-125. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Evelyn Nana Ama Asare, Kingsley Senyo Agomor. Women’s Representation in Media in Ghana’s Democratic Governance. Soc Sci. 2023;12(3):116-125. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16,
  author = {Evelyn Nana Ama Asare and Kingsley Senyo Agomor},
  title = {Women’s Representation in Media in Ghana’s Democratic Governance},
  journal = {Social Sciences},
  volume = {12},
  number = {3},
  pages = {116-125},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ss.20231203.16},
  abstract = {Political participation is the linchpin of democratic governance and development. Women are the majority of the population in many countries, including Ghana. However, their participation at various levels in decision-making processes in democratic governance is generally low. This paper focuses on the media through a desk review of relevant theoretical and empirical literature and examines the representation of women in Ghana’s media political landscape. The paper seeks to increase media awareness in Ghana about their role in moulding the public's impressions about women in politics and government, as well as their contribution to the fight for gender equality. The discussion was guided by the theory of representation. The study finds that both men and women receive massive media coverage. However, the media do not focus on women in democratic governance as intelligent individuals who have an impact to make in society; rather, they focus on their appearance, family life, parental status, or marital status. These perspectives create a narrow representation of women to the public. This discourages many women from vying for political positions, as it creates the impression that only men can thrive and succeed in politics. Additionally, the media is a gatekeeper that exposes the ills of government. This motivates politicians to work hard, knowing that they will be held accountable. The study recommends that women be given the same opportunities as men and that they be presented as people with experience and expertise to share. Media practitioners should highlight the positive aspects of women in political leadership.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY - JOUR
T1 - Women’s Representation in Media in Ghana’s Democratic Governance
AU - Evelyn Nana Ama Asare
AU - Kingsley Senyo Agomor
Y1 - 2023/06/20
PY - 2023
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16
DO - 10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16
T2 - Social Sciences
JF - Social Sciences
JO - Social Sciences
SP - 116
EP - 125
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2326-988X
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16
AB - Political participation is the linchpin of democratic governance and development. Women are the majority of the population in many countries, including Ghana. However, their participation at various levels in decision-making processes in democratic governance is generally low. This paper focuses on the media through a desk review of relevant theoretical and empirical literature and examines the representation of women in Ghana’s media political landscape. The paper seeks to increase media awareness in Ghana about their role in moulding the public's impressions about women in politics and government, as well as their contribution to the fight for gender equality. The discussion was guided by the theory of representation. The study finds that both men and women receive massive media coverage. However, the media do not focus on women in democratic governance as intelligent individuals who have an impact to make in society; rather, they focus on their appearance, family life, parental status, or marital status. These perspectives create a narrow representation of women to the public. This discourages many women from vying for political positions, as it creates the impression that only men can thrive and succeed in politics. Additionally, the media is a gatekeeper that exposes the ills of government. This motivates politicians to work hard, knowing that they will be held accountable. The study recommends that women be given the same opportunities as men and that they be presented as people with experience and expertise to share. Media practitioners should highlight the positive aspects of women in political leadership.
VL - 12
IS - 3
ER -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Evelyn Nana Ama Asare

Communications and Marketing Associate, Marketing Department, Energy Media Group, Accra, Ghana
Kingsley Senyo Agomor

School of Public Service and Governance (SPSG), Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Accra, Ghana

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Evelyn Nana Ama Asare, Kingsley Senyo Agomor. (2023). Women’s Representation in Media in Ghana’s Democratic Governance. Social Sciences, 12(3), 116-125. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Evelyn Nana Ama Asare; Kingsley Senyo Agomor. Women’s Representation in Media in Ghana’s Democratic Governance. Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(3), 116-125. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Evelyn Nana Ama Asare, Kingsley Senyo Agomor. Women’s Representation in Media in Ghana’s Democratic Governance. Soc Sci. 2023;12(3):116-125. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16,
  author = {Evelyn Nana Ama Asare and Kingsley Senyo Agomor},
  title = {Women’s Representation in Media in Ghana’s Democratic Governance},
  journal = {Social Sciences},
  volume = {12},
  number = {3},
  pages = {116-125},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20231203.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ss.20231203.16},
  abstract = {Political participation is the linchpin of democratic governance and development. Women are the majority of the population in many countries, including Ghana. However, their participation at various levels in decision-making processes in democratic governance is generally low. This paper focuses on the media through a desk review of relevant theoretical and empirical literature and examines the representation of women in Ghana’s media political landscape. The paper seeks to increase media awareness in Ghana about their role in moulding the public's impressions about women in politics and government, as well as their contribution to the fight for gender equality. The discussion was guided by the theory of representation. The study finds that both men and women receive massive media coverage. However, the media do not focus on women in democratic governance as intelligent individuals who have an impact to make in society; rather, they focus on their appearance, family life, parental status, or marital status. These perspectives create a narrow representation of women to the public. This discourages many women from vying for political positions, as it creates the impression that only men can thrive and succeed in politics. Additionally, the media is a gatekeeper that exposes the ills of government. This motivates politicians to work hard, knowing that they will be held accountable. The study recommends that women be given the same opportunities as men and that they be presented as people with experience and expertise to share. Media practitioners should highlight the positive aspects of women in political leadership.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download