A two week course on Women and children in the news opened at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) in Accra recently.

The course, which was organised by the British Council in conjunction with the GIJ, drew 15 participants from media houses and other organisations.

It's aim was, among other things, to make female journalist and communicators aware of the challenge in fighting age-long traditions, out-moded customs and prejudices against women and children. It was also aimed at helping female journalists write constrictively towards their development.

Mr David Newton, Director of the GIJ, in his welcome address, said it was a general agreement among United Nations agencies that for development to take place, "we must concern ourselves first the foremost with progress of women.

"The empowerment of women and improvement of their status are important ends in themselves and are essential for the achievement of sustainable development", he added.

Mr. Kabral-Amihere, president of the Ghana Journalists Association, said the future of the world depended on the development of women.

He said "What we do here to correct discrimination against women is most important." We must address this issue in more constructive manner".

In a speech read on her behalf, Ms. Rosemary Arnott, Assistant Director of the British Council would continue to support programmes aimed at enhancing opportunities for women.

Ms Arnott said programmes to ensure that women were reported in the media in productive roles as professional would also be promoted by the Council.