Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang: Ghana’s first female vice president
Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang makes history as Ghana’s first female Vice President. She partnered John Mahama in the 2024 presidential elections.
Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has made history as Ghana’s first female Vice President, a remarkable achievement that underscores her dedication to education, leadership, and public service.
Her appointment represents a significant milestone in Ghana’s political landscape, showcasing her as a trailblazer for women in leadership.
Academic Excellence and Leadership
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s distinguished career began in academia, where she earned Ghana’s highest civilian honor, the Officer of the Order of the Volta, for Academic Distinction. She served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) from 2008 to 2012, becoming the first woman to lead a public university in Ghana.
She was a Professor of Literature in the School of Humanities and Legal Studies and held several leadership positions at UCC, including Head of the Department of English, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and founding Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research. Her expertise also extended internationally as Academic Director for the School for International Training, focusing on African Diaspora history and culture.
Political Journey
In public service, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang became Minister for Education under the John Mahama administration, where she introduced reforms to improve access and quality in the education sector. Her political influence grew as she became the running mate to John Dramani Mahama in 2020, eventually earning the historic role of Vice President after her boss defeated Dr. Bawumia convincingly in the 2024 polls.
Her global contributions include serving as Ghana’s representative to UNESCO’s Executive Board, where she was re-elected for a second term. She was one of five scholars invited to speak at the United Nations Headquarters in 2007 during the bicentennial of the abolition of slavery.
Educational Background and Honors
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang holds a Diplôme Supérieure d’Etudes Françaises from the University of Dakar, a B.A. (Hons) with a Diploma in Education from UCC, and both a Master’s and Doctorate from York University, Canada. A two-time Fulbright scholar, she is a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Commonwealth of Learning.
About Author
