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Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang was born on November 22, 1951, in Cape Coast, Ghana. An ethnic Fante, she was raised in a family where education was highly valued. She attended Anglican Girls’ Secondary School in Koforidua and Aburi Presby Girls’ School before enrolling at the Wesley Girls’ High School in Cape Coast, where she was the School Prefect in her final year. Her academic journey continued at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), where she earned a B.Ed. (Hons) in English and French in 1977. She furthered her studies with a Diploma in Advanced Studies in French from the University of Dakar, Senegal, and then obtained her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Literature from York University in Toronto, Canada, in 1980 and 1986 respectively.
Academic Career: Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s career in academia began at UCC in 1986, where she progressed through various roles, including Head of the Department of English, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Warden of Adehye Hall. Her most significant academic achievement came in 2008 when she was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of UCC, becoming the first woman to hold this position at a state university in Ghana. During her tenure, she significantly contributed to the development of the institution, including the establishment of new facilities like a crèche and a new kitchen complex, and she also spearheaded initiatives like producing in-house graduation outfits for fundraising.
Political and Public Service: Her transition into politics was marked by her appointment as the Minister for Education in 2013 by President John Mahama, a role she held until January 2017. In this capacity, she implemented policies aimed at improving educational quality and access, such as increasing capitation grants for public schools in deprived districts and introducing changes to the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
In the political sphere, Professor Opoku-Agyemang made history again when she was selected as the running mate for John Mahama in the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ticket, becoming the first woman to be a vice-presidential candidate for a major political party in Ghana. Her selection was seen as a significant step towards gender equality in Ghanaian politics, and she campaigned on issues like sustainable development, youth policies, and gender balance.
Personal Life: Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has three children, all of whom have pursued higher education and earned doctoral degrees, following in their mother’s academic footsteps. She is a Christian and a member of the Methodist Church, reflecting her strong community and spiritual ties.
Legacy and Impact: Her legacy is not just in her academic and political achievements but also in her advocacy for women’s leadership and education. Her appointment as Vice President-elect marks a historic moment for Ghana, symbolizing a break from traditional gender roles in high political office. Her work has also been recognized with several awards, including the Officer of the Order of the Volta for Academic Distinction and honorary degrees from various institutions.
As Ghana prepares to inaugurate its first female Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang stands as a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating that intellect, integrity, and service can transcend gender barriers in leadership. Her story is one of relentless pursuit of excellence, profound influence in education, and an unwavering commitment to national development.
Source: myghanadaily.com
