Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has warned that reducing gender-related issues to clickbait undermines meaningful public discourse and ultimately narrows the space for women in leadership.

Speaking at the Annual Women in Government and Media Forum held at the Presidency, Professor Opoku-Agyemang expressed concern over media narratives that focus on superficial aspects such as appearance rather than competence, performance, and measurable impact.

She said such portrayals diminish the seriousness of women’s contributions to national development.

The Vice President urged women in public life to reject attempts to belittle or intimidate them, and to resist being defined by external expectations.

She encouraged them to remain grounded in their values and professional integrity.

Addressing women journalists and editors, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasised that their role carries a distinctive responsibility — not because women are morally superior, but because their inclusion enriches newsroom perspectives and strengthens storytelling.

She noted that for many citizens, the media serves as a vital classroom on governance, economics, health, and public policy, making it essential for practitioners to uphold depth and accuracy in their reporting.

The Vice President further stressed that professional standards must remain the foundation of editorial decisions, cautioning that visibility alone should not be treated as the ultimate goal.