A faculty member at the Department of Communication Studies, University of Ghana, Dr. Sarah Akrofi-Quarcoo, has called for a rewriting of Ghana’s broadcasting history to fully recognise the contributions of women who have shaped national culture.
Delivering a lecture at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s (GBC) 90th anniversary celebration on the topic Women in Broadcasting: Pioneers of National Culture, Dr. Akrofi-Quarcoo noted that existing literature on radio has often overlooked the role of broadcasters, particularly women.
“Literature on radio is not only scanty but also barely recognises the contributions of broadcasters, especially women, in the development of this national cultural asset. The literature has tended to overemphasise state politics and institutions,” she said.
Dr. Akrofi-Quarcoo reflected on the barriers women in broadcasting faced, including being prevented from going on air and being asked to resign when they became pregnant or got married.
“Until 1959, women were not allowed to read the major news bulletin, but Betty Kwashie-Aydun broke that barrier, defying the prevailing myth about women and news reading. Women like broadcaster Susan Laryea also challenged expectations by joining GBC as a married woman with three children,” she said.
“Despite such restrictions, women carved niches for themselves through programmes such as women’s radio magazine shows. These pioneers breathed new life into broadcasting’s production and reception cultures, working as both creators and subjects of cultural narratives,” she added.
She stressed that, despite women broadcasters laying the groundwork for inclusive storytelling and ethical journalism, their legacies remain relegated to “footnotes in history, overshadowed by institutional memory, laws, and gendered erasures.
“To honour them is not to romanticise the past but to activate it. We must document their stories, embed their values in media training, and create their legacy,” she said.
The distinguished academic also sparked a discussion on how GBC and other institutions can better support women in the profession today.
An attendee, Rev. Dei, suggested that GBC consider establishing a breastfeeding space for nursing mothers as part of its efforts to create a family-friendly environment.
Responding to the proposal, GBC’s Director-General, Professor Amin Alhassan, backed the call for more supportive structures, noting that maternity policies should be seen as a labour issue rather than just a management concern.
“I have lived in a country where women are entitled to one year of maternity leave on full pay, and I think that is a beautiful model. It is not just about the individual; it is about preparing the next generation of the labour force. At the very least, six months should not be too much to ask,” he said.
He added that global examples, such as Canada, show how extended maternity leave can be effective, stressing that women should not be made to feel they are asking for too much.
Dr. Akrofi-Quarcoo charged GBC to play a leading role in advancing women’s contributions in the years ahead.
“Let us look into the future to see what role GBC can play in advancing women’s contributions toward fostering gender equality and promoting a gender-equitable society as the national broadcaster,” she said.
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Story by Michelle Lartey|univers.ug.edu.gh
