Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang met with members of the Ghanaian community in Iowa, USA, on Wednesday, using the platform to strongly reaffirm the commitment of the Mahama administration towards achieving inclusive national development and fostering economic empowerment for all citizens. Her address, delivered to a gathering predominantly made up of young Ghanaians and students, centered on the core philosophy of governance: ensuring that the living standards of every Ghanaian are improved. She stressed a deliberate policy focus on bringing marginalized and disadvantaged populations “to the centre” of national progress, committing that the administration would utilize “whatever means” necessary to empower those currently lacking influence or resources.
International Engagement Context and Economic Promises
The Vice President’s engagement took place while she was in Des Moines attending the prestigious Norman Borlaug International Dialogue, an event organized by the World Food Prize Foundation. While abroad, she took the opportunity to connect with the diaspora, outlining key economic priorities for the nation. Central to these priorities is a firm pledge for job creation, intended to align with the aspirations of Ghana’s highly talented and innovative youth. This vision for employment goes hand-in-hand with strategic economic growth, specifically targeting the development of the country’s vast agribusiness potential and ensuring sustainable support mechanisms are in place for small and medium-scale businesses (SMEs), which form the backbone of the economy.
Focus on Women’s Economic Support
In a significant announcement during her interaction, Professor Opoku-Agyemang revealed concrete plans to bolster female entrepreneurship. She informed the community that the government is set to soon launch the Women’s Development Bank. This specialized financial institution is being established as a dedicated vehicle to provide crucial support, funding, and resources specifically tailored to empower and advance female-led enterprises across the country.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
