A mother of three, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, is a Ghanaian academician and politician who was born on November 22, 1951.
Beginning her career at the University of Cape Coast in 1986, Professor Opoku-Agyemang held a number of academic roles, including founding dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research, dean of the Faculty of Arts, head of the English department, and warden of Adehye Hall and the Valco Trust Fund Post-Graduate Hostel.
Rising to become the first female vice chancellor of the University of Cape Coast from 2008 to 2012, she focused on promoting academic excellence and research advancement while making a major impact on the institution’s growth and development.
Throughout her tenure, she initiated innovative projects like the production of drinking water and cleaning materials, upgraded the university’s school farm to serve the university and surrounding communities, including the Cape Coast municipality, and revitalized UCC as an award-winning global center of excellence.
Additionally, she served as the Academic Director of the School for International Training in the History and Cultures of the African Diaspora in 1997.
At some point however, Professor Opoku-Agyemang veered into politics where she became the Education minster of the then Mahama-led administration. She advocated for educational policies to enhance the quality and accessibility of education while promoting gender equality in schools.
With these under her belt, she gained recognition and was appointed as the running mate for the National Democratic Congress in 2020. This was a huge step in the direction of female parity in Ghanaian politics.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang has been a staunch advocate for women’s rights and empowerment, leading to her recognition as a board member and President of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) from 2017 to 2023.
With barely 8 months to what was will go down in history as a crucial election, the NDC has reappointed Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang to partner their candidate John Dramani Mahama.
Speaking to RGG NEWS, the Executive Director of the Gender Centre for Empowering Development Madam Esther Tawiah stated “the NDC’S reappointment of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang re-affirms the party’s decision that Ghanaian women are also up to the task hence the need to involve women”.
Meanwhile, in a statement cited by RGG NEWS, the party has set April 24, 2024 to outdoor her to the nation as they build up to the December election.
