Accra: Ayisha Yakubu, a Muslim broadcast journalist with TV3, says she nearly gave up her broadcast journalism career after getting married due to policies that barred women from covering up while on television.

She explained that most broadcast media organisations had policies against covering up, and so as a single Muslim woman, she had since 2018 compromised certain aspects of her beliefs, such as covering up, to develop her career.

“Then I got married, and there was nothing I could do about it. It was either I left the job or didn’t cover at all, and that was a dealbreaker. I couldn’t say I won’t cover at all,” she said at the 2026 Ramadan Women’s Dialogue held on the theme “Leading with Faith: Muslim Women Navigating Purpose, Power and Responsibility”.

Ayisha said she was fortunate that her media organisation eventually permitted her to use headgear and turbans as part of her outfit.

She observed that the best way to fight stereotypes and misconceptions as a Muslim woman was to excel when given the opportunity.

“I had to prove myself in order for them to see that it was not about the covering of the hair. It is really about what you can do,” she said.

Having worked at different media organisations with hostile policies towards Muslim women, she said she would opt for leave during the month of Ramadan or try to showcase the beauty of covering the hair during the Ghana Month period.

Dr Nasiba Tahiru, the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Refugees Board and a psychologist, said it was important for Muslim women to remain consistent and persistent in finding the right career fit.

Sharing her personal experience, she said she had to give up her passion of joining the military, as the occupation had no room to accommodate and tolerate the identity of Muslim women.

“For me, it has been the Quran and the Sunnah in the middle of my affairs, and sometimes it does not favour my personal interest,” she said.

Dr Akosua Abdallah, President of the International Theatre Institute, urged Muslim women to master emotional intelligence when dealing with non-Muslims.

The mother of three daughters also urged them to have the patience and endurance to build their Muslim faith and identities.