Working conditions in the Ghanaian media

Abstract

Ghana’s media remain one of the most celebrated across the continent, for its expansive and liberal ecosystem. With an exponential growth rate and a generally liberal atmosphere for discourse, it is easy to assume that all is well in the media. However, anecdotal evidence about the economics and management practices in the media suggests that all may not be well, particularly, with professionals who work in the space. This chapter examines working conditions in the media by exploring issues of entry and exit, remuneration, welfare, resources for work and policies to govern individual conduct. It reports evidence of high levels of opacity in recruitment practices. Media personnel are also poorly paid with many working without the beneft of healthcare support nor pensions. The study also reveals that media organisations, generally, have no codifed protocols to guide employee behaviour. The chapter concludes with a number of recommendations for regulators and media owners/ managers and associations.