For almost twenty years, Emefa Apawu stood out as one of the best-known figures in Ghanaian media.
Her consistent presentation and sharp interrogations during shows like The Probe gained her widespread trust and admiration from colleagues, solidifying her image as an emblem of reliability within a challenging journalism environment.
Therefore, when she moved from the newsroom to corporate communications, the shift seemed smooth and admirable. However, beneath her well-groomed public persona was a more subdued conflict: the ongoing pressure between career aspirations and being a mother.
" I worked six days each week, occasionally seven," said Miss Apawu during an episode of the podcast Talk No Dey Cook Rice.
She remembered that it was uncommon for her son to find her at home during the day. "When he did, he would ask, 'Is everything alright?'" That wasn’t the way she wished to bring up her kids.
She talked about years dedicated to meeting deadlines, presenting shows, and participating in gatherings, frequently sacrificing time with her family. Looking back on her daughter, who is approaching adulthood, Apawu mentioned that much of her child's life was spent without her presence.
"MY DAUGHTER WILL BE EIGHTEEN IN DECEMBER, AND FOR MOST OF HER LIFE, I HAVE NOT BEEN THERE," SHE SAID.
I can't continue referring to myself as a mother when all I'm doing is running after things.
At a certain time, she remembered needing to bring her infant to the newsroom since she didn’t have anyone to look after them.
A Nationwide Pattern Visible to All
The story of Miss Apawu reflects a wider, often silent truth in Ghana's journalism sector.
Although the nation's media landscape has grown quickly with hundreds of radio and television stations across the country, newsrooms continue to maintain their traditional structures.
Extended working hours, strict schedules, and an environment where dedication is associated with continuous physical availability remain prevalent.
Dr. Charity Binka, executive director of Women in Media and Communications (WOMEC), stated that this approach overlooked the actual challenges of caring responsibilities.
Newsrooms continue to believe employees do not have care-giving duties.
Although women perform well in journalism and editing positions, numerous face tough decisions after becoming mothers.
This includes sleepless nights, medical crises, and school timetables, but the newsroom demands the same speed and productivity from women as if everything remains unchanged," she stated.
This discrepancy, as Dr Binka clarified, caused numerous women to reduce their career pace, refuse high-pressure tasks, or leave the media industry completely.
She advocated for gender-sensitive editorial policies, such as adaptable working schedules, family-supportive roles during pregnancy, child care assistance, and robust measures to prevent bias. "For newsrooms aiming to keep talented women reporters, it’s essential to understand that being a parent isn’t an obstacle but a normal aspect of professional life," she highlighted.
"The Price I Paid" – The Individual Consequence
Regarding Mrs. Hannah Awadzi, Online Editor at the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the challenge intensified significantly upon resuming her job following parental leave, while also looking after a child with specific requirements.
"I knew Eyram is a child with special needs, and it was a very tough time for me," she remembered.
She mentioned that she begged her supervisors to transfer her to programs nearer to her residence in Adenta, yet her appeals were turned down. Occasionally, she had to report on events located as distant as Kasoa.
Even though Mrs Awadzi ultimately received approval to work remotely, this adaptability had a negative impact on her career.
I was permitted to work from home, yet I faced the consequence of remaining without a promotion for an extended period. Every one of my younger colleagues moved up before me," she mentioned. "That was the cost I needed to bear.
Labor Laws Provide Safeguards, Yet Lack Assistance
The Ghana Labour Act of 2003 (Act 651) offers fundamental support for female employees, such as a minimum of 12 weeks of compensated maternity leave, time off for breastfeeding, and protection from being fired because of their pregnancy.
Nevertheless, for women working in high-speed industries such as journalism, these legislative measures frequently prove inadequate.
The legal framework doesn't require adaptable working hours, remote employment choices, or organized return-to-work initiatives, causing numerous mothers to manage their comeback to the workforce without support.
Philip Larbi, a specialist in mental well-being, cautioned that the lack of organized work environment assistance may increase emotional strain.
He stated, 'Women frequently face higher levels of stress and worry when attempting to adhere to strict deadlines while looking after new babies.'
He stated that the absence of adaptability left new mothers vulnerable to exhaustion and postpartum depression.
Although the Labor Law offers a fundamental support system, he mentioned that it fails to tackle the psychological and emotional impact of balancing young parenthood with intense career responsibilities.
A Rigid System
Mr. Francis Ameyibor, vice president of the West Africa Network of Journalists for Security and Development, felt that the traditional layout of newsrooms was still outmoded.
He highlighted ongoing gender inequalities, especially in state-run media companies that continue to function under strict, male-dominated structures.
He stated that female reporters, particularly those who are mothers, frequently encountered job progression barriers, restricted child care availability, and unofficial consequences for taking time off after childbirth.
Numerous individuals, he stated, were directed towards "softer rhythms," like health coverage, which diminished their exposure and opportunities for promotion.
He referenced a 2020 study from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), indicating that women make up roughly 35 percent of reporters in privately owned media outlets, yet account for just 25 percent within government-run news organizations, which he labeled as the most problematic.
Mr. Ameyibor also cited research from the African Women's Development Fund, indicating that numerous mothers exit journalism because of rigid timetables, scarce child care facilities, and inadequate maternal assistance, thus urging comprehensive changes within the industry.
Women in Broadcasting Network
Ms. Gloria Anderson, secretary of the Network of Women in Broadcasting (NOWIB), stated that motherhood subtly changes the career paths of numerous female reporters, frequently influencing which individuals progress, stagnate, or leave the newsroom entirely.
She talked about managing sunrise performances, late-evening news broadcasts, and parenting duties, often depending on neighbors to get her kids ready for school.
One day, my daughter cried intensely because I was delayed. I also shed tears," she remembered. "Numerous women in this field can relate to that emotion.
She stated that becoming a mother represents a significant shift for women within the entertainment industry.
Some individuals reduce their pace following childbirth, others transition into less strenuous positions, whereas many exit the field completely.
Although some managers might demonstrate compassion, she mentioned, this seldom leads to official policies.
She mentioned that returning mothers experience sudden changes, feel pressured to "get back on track," struggle with limited areas to nurse, and deal with the emotional impact of being separated from their kids. She also noted that child care continues to be a significant issue, especially for women working early morning or late night shifts.
Such obstacles hinder professional growth. Women may turn down promotions not due to a lack of drive, but because the systems in place prevent them from managing both responsibilities effectively.
International Norms Emphasize Regional Shortcomings
Global news agencies show that adaptability and efficiency can go hand in hand.
In 2022, the BBC introduced a flexible employment strategy that supports remote and mixed-office arrangements, condensed work schedules, part-time positions, shared jobs, and leaves of absence for professional development.
International media platforms like Al Jazeera and CNN offer structured maternity and parental leave benefits, re-entry programs, and policies that consider gender when assigning tasks.
A junior journalist working for a private radio station, who asked to remain unidentified, stated that she enjoys her work in journalism but is worried about becoming a mother.
The system does not accommodate mothers. 'Women depart not because they struggle with their jobs, but because they cannot cope with the guilt of leaving their children,' she said.
The Way Forward
The stories of Miss Apawu, Mrs Awadzi, Mrs Anderson, and numerous others reveal institutional shortcomings that jeopardize diversity, inclusion, and the standard of reporting within Ghana's media landscape.
If Ghanaian newsrooms do not change, the quiet departure of women will persist, undermining the sector's capacity to accurately represent society.
The issue is not anymore about whether women can succeed in journalism—they already have. The true challenge lies in whether the system will eventually adapt to mirror their experiences.
© 2025 Ghanaian Times. All rights reserved. Published by AllAfrica Global Media (News).
Tagged: Ghana, Pregnancy and Childbirth, West Africa, Health and Medicine
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