Opoku-Agyemang becomes Ghana’s first female vice president
Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is on the course of making history as the first female vice president of Ghana. This followed Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s concession to former president John Dramani Mahama in the 2024 Ghana’s presidential election, after he secured a historic comeback win.
After competing alongside Mahama in the 2020 general election, Professor Opoku Agyemang is making her second appearance on a presidential ticket. She was Mahama’s running mate in the December 7, 2024 elections.
Her status as an exemplar in Ghanaian politics was established earlier this year when the National Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) formally accepted her selection as the party’s vice presidential candidate.
Her influence, especially in significant areas like the Central Region and Greater Accra, has been crucial in bolstering the NDC’s popularity. Her appointment as Ghana’s first female vice president is regarded as a significant turning point for gender representation and inclusivity in Ghanaian politics as she gets ready to assume office.
Prof. Opoku Agyemang is a well-known scholar and politician who was born in Cape Coast on November 22, 1951. She completed her secondary education from 1964 to 1971 at Wesley Girls’ High School in Cape Coast, Aburi Presby Girls’ School, and Anglican Girls’ Secondary School in Koforidua.
From 2008 until 2012, she headed the University of Cape Coast, becoming Ghana’s first female vice chancellor at a public university. Her research has mostly concentrated on African diaspora concerns, literature, and oral traditions. She has been a strong advocate of educational reform and inclusivity.
From 2013 until 2017, she served as Minister of School, supporting the 2015 Inclusive Education Policy, which sought to guarantee all students, regardless of background, fair access to school.
She has always been a strong supporter of gender equality, speaking up in favour of women’s and girls’ rights and expanding their educational opportunities.
Over her political career, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang has established a solid reputation for honesty and commitment to causes that are important to Ghanaians.
She received an Officer of the Order of the Volta for Academic Distinction award in 2011, and Avance Media named her one of the 100 most significant women in Africa. She is currently located in Zimbabwe and serves as the Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa. The academic credentials of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang are substantial.
She has a master’s and doctoral degree from York University in Canada, a bachelor’s degree in English and French from the University of Cape Coast, and a diploma in advanced studies from the University of Dakar.
Source: TheAfricanDream.net
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
