Women must learn to ask – Nana Aba Anamoah on confidence and salary negotiation

Many women downplay their achievements, but media powerhouse Nana Aba Anamoah believes it’s time to change that narrative.

The ace broadcast journalist highlighted how women often undersell themselves in professional settings Speaking to Roselyn Felli on Joy Prime, monitored by MyNewsGh.

“I see it all the time. A man’s CV is often flamboyant and ambitious. You read it and think, ‘Wow, this guy deserves the job.’

Then he walks in, and you realize he has no substance. Meanwhile, a woman’s CV will be so basic, yet when she speaks, you see she has real value.”

According to Nana Aba, this lack of confidence is also evident when it comes to salary negotiations. “A man will start with a figure way beyond your budget, and then you negotiate. But a woman, desperate for an opportunity, will say, ‘Oh, whatever you give me is fine.’ But it’s NOT fine!”

She emphasized the importance of asking for what one deserves, stating, “You need to be confident. Don’t be rude, but don’t sell yourself short either.”

Reflecting on her own personality, she addressed the common perception that she is rude. “I hear that all the time, and I don’t apologize for it. I just tell things as they are. I’m not rude, I’m just a very confident person. But if something deserves a rude answer, I will give a rude answer.”

For Nana Aba, the Woman of Valour initiative was born out of the need to empower women to stand tall and take charge of their lives.

“Women break a lot. We don’t know what to expect, and when challenges hit, they break us down. Woman of Valour is here to remind us that we can be unbreakable.”