AWMA Conference spotlights mentorship and career development for women in media

The Alliance for Women in Media Africa (AWMA), in partnership with MTN Ghana, held a conference to mark International Women's Day. The event, themed "Empowering Women in Media to Break Barriers, Build Resilience and Shape Narratives," brought together media professionals, industry leaders, and stakeholders to discuss challenges facing women and how to overcome them. A key part of the conference was an open forum which centred on mentorship and the relationship between mentors and mentees.

AWMA Convener Mercy Agyabeng explained that mentorship is a process that requires time and commitment, saying "What it means is that you are being helped to develop your potential or your capacity. That's a process." She expressed concern that many young people expect quick success without putting in the work. Mercy Agyabeng pointed out that women in media already face disadvantages and must work harder to stand out, saying "If you are a female, already you are disadvantaged… the challenges are there." Mary-Ann Acolatse called for a broader understanding of mentorship and encouraged participants to remain open-minded, saying "Let's be open-minded about mentorship… don't look for it in specific kinds of people." She added that feedback plays a key role in growth, saying "Feedback is a powerful form of mentorship… somebody helping you to check the path you are treading."

Discussions at the forum also explored how media professionals can transition into other sectors, including the corporate and diplomatic spaces. Mercy Agyabeng spoke about moving from the newsroom into the diplomatic community and the lessons she learned, saying "In the media, it's wanting to be the first to tell the story… but in the diplomatic community, you don't speak." Mary-Ann Acolatse also advised media professionals to be intentional about their career paths and prepare early for transitions. She encouraged journalists to