3 Goals Scored With Just A Shot-Her Excellency The Vice President

The call during the annual national forum on women in governance and media in Accra couple of days ago is highly commendable particularly, at a time when media narratives can easily drift towards sensationalism. Her excellence the Vice President of Ghana, the first female to ascend the second highest office in Ghana’s history, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang gentle reminder that, women must be judged by their competence, brainpower, and output rather than by appearance or labels is a powerful affirmation of what is yet to come from her astute leadership. Her call to journalists to uphold credibility and professionalism, especially on gender-related issues, is not only an appeal for them to defend the integrity of women spearheading the affairs of this country but also elevate the standards of journalism itself.

In addition, her call for us women to refuse belittlement intimidation and the impose identities is absolutely inspiring and overwhelmingly empowering. She encourages women from every corner of the nation to stand firmly in their authenticity strength and wealth.

Personally, I believe her message is in three folds, firstly, a call for journalist to give a special attention to women in governance secondly, for society to value substances over stereotype and lastly, a solemn charge to women in leadership that, power is not merely a personal achievement instead it is a collective responsibility that rests in their hands accordingly, you have not just broken the glass ceiling widely talked about instead, you have literally been entrusted with the Baton of women progress, and what you choose to do with that Wand matters greatly.

You can smash barriers for the woman/youngsters standing right behind you, widening the pathway or, you allow the very structures you overcame to remain obstacles for others. This decision is solely yours however, respectively, be reminded that leadership is not only about reaching the summit it is actually about extending a steady hand to those still climbing therefore, as the learned professor said before, (hold the door open …”) for true progress is measured not by how high one woman rises but by how many she lifts along the journey.

Consequently, humbly, on behalf of all marginalize and voiceless women, I call on our pioneers those who have ascended to the top to deliberately lift other women who are capable and yet marginalized in one way or the other, even those who are feeble must be given the necessary support to stand on their own feet for your progress is absolutely incomplete and meaningless if it is not shared /trickledown to those who are barely surviving, as the saying goes “when you get to the top of the mountain keep climbing, true leadership creates pathways for others to follow therefore, please mentor, sponsor, elevate and advocate for deserving fellows whose talent may otherwise remain unseen due to systemic bias. (“We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamics, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.”-Sheryl Sandberg.) And indeed, you can make this happen to someone somewhere near you today just by lift of a finger.

For centuries society has often echoed the troubling notion that women are their own worst enemies while this phrase highlights internal divisions that can sometimes exist, it should not define the collective reality of women instead, it should challenge as to proof otherwise, build solidarity rather than rivalry, replace competition engrained in scarcity with collaboration rooted in shared purpose. Journalists in particular have a critical role to play, media professionals’ freelance, women with platforms should purposefully highlight and single out leaders who are actively working to close the gender gap, those who are placing women in their rightful places based on merit and competences.

By amplifying and magnifying such efforts openly can help to reshape public perception and inspire a new culture of inclusion because, balance reportage dose more than just information it transforms and set the record straight so, to all women who have been rescued from discrimination/marginalization Please, your voices matter, applaud and publicly support those leading the fight against inequality through reportage, recognition as suggested (“behind every great woman …is another great woman” Kate Hodges) indeed collective achievement grows when we celebrate and encourage one another.

Finally recognizing deserving women is not an act of partiality it is an act of justice and truthfulness as the maxim wisely says “give credit where credit is due” acknowledging the hard work excellence and resilience of women is essential to building a fair and progressive society.

Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang’s Message is timely and necessary, it challenges journalist to report with depth and integrity, urge women leaders to extend a helping hand as well as a call on society to value substances over stereotype her voice add strength to the ongoing pursuit of equality and for that, she deserves a sincere praise and gratitude.

Prof Ayikoooooo
As the Bulisa People say” Sakgra Borow-kama, Ka Womda Nii kan-ka” meaning the professor is willing to teach but …”

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