SCORES: Individual scores: 4, 5, 2, 5, 2, 5, 5, 5, 3 Average score: 4.0 4.4 Gender mainstreaming is promoted in terms of equal participation of both sexes in the production process. ANALYSIS: Quite a number of women are working in leading positions. The acting editor of the Ghanaian Times and the editor of the Daily Guide are women. At Graphic Communications Group of Companies, two out of the five editors are women. 2004 statistics regarding gender representation on the boards of state-owned media reflect a very imbalanced picture. For example, between the GBC, the New Times, Graphic Group and the GNA with a total board membership of 34, only 6 are women, none of whom is the chair. There are a number of women working in the newsrooms. But the main challenge here remains that women rarely rise to management and decision making positions. Women work mainly on women and social stories, regarded as “soft news” which are not seen as a recommendation for promotions. However, the issue of women’s low presence in management and decision-making positions is a national phenomenon and not typical of the media industry. At the national level, some corrective efforts are being made but these are not yielding the expected results and progress is quite slow. A “Women in Broadcasting” group is trying to address some of these challenges. It has been working with other civil society groups in an attempt to promote women’s issues in the media and wider society. It must also be mentioned that the GJA has had women Presidents for over ten years. In the last GJA elections held in March 2006 there were two women and one man contesting the presidential position. Although the man won, this was seen as an indication of the assertiveness of women and their aspiration to move into higher positions. Generally, there is no special effort being made towards promoting women or achieving equal participation in the work place. There is a lot of room for improvement. 25