The Alliance of Feminist CSOs (AFCSOs) has dedicated the 2024 International Women’s Day to celebrating Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who was recently chosen as the running mate for the NDC flagbearer. John Mahama.

In a press release, the group indicated that she has earned her position as the first woman to be nominated by a major political party in Ghana as a running mate considering the level of competence exhibited in various public positions she has previously served.

“Her accomplishment continues to inspire a lot of young women in this country and has further paved the way not only for herself but for unborn generations. The reason for having Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is a result of investment. This is remarkable and exemplary,” parts of the statement read.

“Her impact goes a long way to change the face of Ghanaian politics forever and this is not easy to achieve. Her track record speaks for itself. The conversation about Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is not about tokenism but a woman in her own right, an achiever and a pacesetter,” the group added.

Alliance of Feminist CSOs listed the achievements of Prof Opoku-Agyemeng in recognition of her work and efforts and the impact she has had throughout her years as a career-driven woman.

"We therefore wish to congratulate her on her dedication and honest service to this country. It is our fervent hope that as she aspires to higher heights, Ghanaians overwhelmingly endorse her and the flagbearer since there is no other justification better than one's own track record," AFSCSs noted.

The group called on stakeholders to put in place systems that support the advancement in developing the potential of women. 

“The Alliance supports this call since there is no other way of giving women the opportunity to become a better version of themselves other than through investing in them,” they added.

Below are some of Prof Opoku-Agyemang's achievements AFCSOs listed:

1. Upgraded Colleges of Education into tertiary institutions;

2. Introduced the unprecedented Private BECE;

3. Conversed Polytechnics into Technical Universities;

4. Eliminated the obnoxious shift system in the public schools;

5. Introduced the progressively free SHS which targeted 458,700 poor & vulnerable students;

6. Introduced the Students’ Loan Plus to cater for students who gain admission but face financial handicap in raising initial, time-bound..registration fees;

7. Supervised the completion of the University of Health & Allied Sciences in Ho;

8. Increased Student Loan beneficiaries from 13,833 in 2012/2013 academic year to 24,951 in the 2015/2016 academic year;

9. Upward review of the Student Loan Gh¢650 – Gh¢1,600..over two semesters to Gh¢1,000 – Gh¢2,000 for same period;

10. Increased capitation grant by 100% for 11,650 public basic schools in 75 deprived districts;

11. Spent some Gh¢61.3m on BECE subsidy for all registered candidates in private and public schools;

12. Abolished the..quota system at the Colleges of Education which led to enrollment increasing from 9,000 to 15,400;

13. Reduced teacher absenteeism from 27% to 7%;

13. Ensured teachers automatic posting without National Service and Licensure Examination;

14. Procured and distributed more..than 150,000 tables & chairs to basic schools;

15. Supervised Ghana’s overall best-performing WASSCE nation award by WAEC for four consecutive years;

16. Upgraded 50 less endowed facilities in Senior High Schools and 75 under-performing Senior High Schools;

17. Improved quality in basic education resulting in Ghana’s all-time best BECE performance;

18. Distributed 787,485 free school uniforms to deprived districts across the country;

19. Supervised the distribution of over 40,000 free made-in-Ghana leather sandals for vulnerable students;20. Oversaw the distribution of bicycles, school bags, mathematical sets, solar lamps, calculators & textbooks to some 155,781 pupils to improve retention & transition rate;

21. Constructed 25 District Education Offices;

22. Constructed some 1,129 classroom blocks, 73 teachers. Oversaw the distribution of bicycles, school bags, mathematical sets, solar lamps, calculators & textbooks to some 155,781 pupils to improve retention & transition rate.

Read the full statement below: