Mr Somalia S. Saaka, former News Editor of Ghana News Agency, has asked media practitioners to give aspiring women candidates of the political parties equal coverage they accord their male counterparts.

Mr Saaka, who was speaking at a day’s training workshop for media practitioners in Bolgatanga on the Promotion of Women in Local Governance observed that research had shown that women candidates often receive less total coverage than their male colleagues.

He said a section of the media are also fond of setting the agenda that tend to trivialise women issues and stereotype them instead of focusing on their good sides.

He attributed this to the inequality of gender positions in governance, adding that Ghana cannot boast of democracy when women are marginalised.

Ms Safia Musah , Programme Facilitator of IBIS- Ghana, an international non-governmental organisation, asked media personnel to endevour to make it one of their core mandates to promote the effective participation of women in governance.

Mr Seidu Musah Akugri ,Programme Manager of Community Development and Advocacy Centre, said his outfit organised the programme to strengthen the media to advocate and influence gender sensitive and women led programmes, policies and agenda by traditional authorities , government and other relevant stakeholders ,especially towards the upcoming District level elections.

The workshop organised under the Democratic Consolidation and Accountable Governance Programme in collaboration with IBIS-Ghana was on the theme: “Women in Decision-Making: The Role of the Media for Enhancing Women’s Politic al Participation in Local Elections.”