Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang made history by becoming the first woman to run for vice president on a major party ticket in Ghana. Although she hasn’t yet assumed the office of the vice president, her remarkable life and achievements are worth celebrating.
Born on November 22, 1951, in Cape Coast, Ghana, Professor Opoku-Agyemang had a stellar academic career. She attended prestigious institutions like Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Aburi Presby Girls’ School, and Wesley Girls High School. She then pursued higher education at the University of Cape Coast, where she earned a B.Ed. (Hons) in English and French. She furthered her studies at York University in Toronto, Canada, obtaining her master’s and doctoral degrees in Literature.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s academic excellence and leadership skills led her to become the first female Vice-Chancellor of a state university, University of Cape Coast . She served in that capacity from 2008 to 2012 . She has also held various academic positions, including Head of the Department of English, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Founding Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
In addition to her academic achievements, Professor Opoku-Agyemang has been a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and education. She served as the Minister for Education from 2013 to 2017, focusing on inclusive education policies and promoting girls’ education.
On July 6, 2020, Professor Opoku-Agyemang was selected by John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as his running mate for the 2020 presidential election. This marked a significant milestone in Ghana’s political history, as she became the first female running mate of a major political party. Her selection was widely applauded by women’s groups and activists, who saw it as a positive step towards promoting gender balance and equality in Ghanaian politics.
Throughout her illustrious career, Professor Opoku-Agyemang has received numerous awards and honors, including the Officer of the Order of the Volta, Ghana Women of Excellence Award, and honorary doctorates from several universities. As a trailblazer in Ghanaian politics, Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s life serves as an inspiration to women and girls across the country, demonstrating that with hard work, determination, and leadership, they can break barriers and achieve greatness.
Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang’s remarkable achievements are a powerful motivation for the girl child in Ghana and beyond. As the first woman to run for vice president on a major party ticket in Ghana, she has shattered glass ceilings and paved the way for future generations of women leaders.
Her stellar academic career, which includes attending prestigious institutions like Anglican Girls’ Secondary School and Wesley Girls High School, and earning advanced degrees from the University of Cape Coast and York University in Toronto, Canada, is a testament to her hard work and determination.
As a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and education, Professor Opoku-Agyemang has dedicated her career to promoting inclusive education policies and girls’ education. Her selection as the running mate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2020 presidential election was a significant milestone in Ghana’s political history, marking the first time a woman had been chosen as a running mate by a major political party.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s achievements serve as a powerful inspiration to girls and women across Ghana, demonstrating that with hard work, determination, and leadership, they can break barriers and achieve greatness. Her legacy will undoubtedly continue to motivate and empower future generations of women leaders.
As Minister for Education, Professor Opoku-Agyemang focused on promoting girls’ education and inclusive education policies.
As the first woman to run for vice president on a major party ticket in Ghana, Professor Opoku-Agyemang has paved the way for future generations of women leaders.
Throughout her career, Professor Opoku-Agyemang has been a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and education, inspiring girls and women across Ghana to strive for greatness.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
