DW Akademie's 'Safety for Female Journalists' workshop in northern Ghana brought together 12 women journalists to address gender-based challenges in the media industry. The initiative aims to help participants navigate harassment, discrimination, and safety risks.

Ewurama Attoh, a veteran journalist with over a decade of experience, shared that women often have to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. She recalled instances where male guests canceled morning show appearances upon learning she would be the host.

Ama Kodjo, DW Akademie's program director for Ghana, noted that career advancement often brings increased resistance for women. The workshop focused on practical solutions, including risk assessment, safety during violent coverage, and personal security measures like carrying insurance cards and choosing hotels with two exits.

Shawana Yussif, northern bureau chief for Channel One TV and Citi FM in Tamale, described challenges such as poor road networks, misinformation, and security risks. She recounted a field assignment where she discreetly recorded farmers carrying cutlasses and shared her live location with trusted contacts.

Hamdia Abdul Hameed, a news anchor and reporter at Zaa multimedia, emphasized that discrimination and distrust are common. She stressed the importance of remaining calm and professional in such situations.

Ghana ranks 52nd out of 180 countries in the 2025 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index. DW Akademie's projects also cover AI literacy, fact-checking, cyberbullying, and hate speech prevention.

Source: www.dw.com