Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang makes history as the first female Vice President of Ghana.
Ghana made history by swearing in Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as the country’s first female vice president.
On January 7, the National Democratic Congress in Ghana made history by swearing in Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang as the country’s first female vice president. This milestone follows John Dramani Mahama’s decisive victory in the December elections, where he reclaimed the presidency. As part of his strategy to promote competence and inclusivity, Mahama chose Opoku-Agyemang as his running mate, challenging the nation’s traditional conservative views on gender in politics.
The oath-taking ceremony, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, was held at Independence Square in Accra. After seven years, Mahama is returning to the presidency and will take over from Nana Akufo-Addo, who defeated him in 2017.
Opoku-Agyemang, a literature professor and former Minister of Education, was first chosen as Mahama’s running mate in 2020. Now, with her historic election, she and Mahama are focused on addressing the nation’s challenges, such as youth unemployment, corruption, and other critical issues from his previous presidency.
Her historic oath-taking ceremony marks a turning point in Ghana’s political landscape, signaling a move toward much-needed reform. This comes after a 2022 survey showed that 67% of Ghanaians support political equality for women, highlighting the importance of Opoku-Agyemang’s rise to the vice presidency.
In addition to her academic achievements, where she served as Minister of Education from 2013 to 2017—leading efforts to build modern schools, provide free textbooks and uniforms, and eliminate makeshift classrooms—Opoku-Agyemang holds several prestigious roles. A strong advocate for education and the fight against gender-based violence toward Ghanaian women, she is also a member of the executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a member of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fellow of the Commonwealth of Learning, and serves on the editorial board of the Harriet Tubman Series on the African Diaspora.
Her vast expertise in governance, education, and development perfectly complemented Mahama’s experience as a former president. Together, they built a deep mutual respect, aligning their shared values to secure a groundbreaking victory that is set to bring visionary leadership to Ghana.
