Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has made history as Ghana’s first female Vice President-elect.

With a distinguished career in academia and politics, Prof Opoku-Agyemang is set to assume office on January 7, 2025. Born in November 1951 in Cape Coast, she is a full professor of literature and has served as Ghana's Minister for Education from February 2013 to January 2017.

She was also the first female Vice-Chancellor of a state university in Ghana, leading the University of Cape Coast.

Her academic journey began at Anglican Girls’ Secondary School in Koforidua and Aburi Presby Girls’ School. She later attended Wesley Girls’ High School from 1964 to 1971. In October 2018, she became the Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa, Zimbabwe.

The President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, celebrated her trailblazing achievement during his acceptance speech following the December 7 general elections.

“I’d like to thank the Vice President-elect, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, for being an exemplary and inspirational running mate. Nana, your decency, humility, and sense of responsibility added so much to this campaign.

“The eyes of every young girl and woman, not only in Ghana but across this continent and the world, are going to be on you from today. You have not only opened the door but are going to keep it open for many other women.

“Your name has become synonymous with breaking boundaries. Because of you, Ghanaians can celebrate making history by electing our first woman as Vice President,” Mahama stated.

Gender advocate and founder of the Alliance for Women in Media Africa, Shamima Muslim Alhassan, emphasised the significance of Prof Opoku-Agyemang’s new role.

“For 67 years since Ghana's independence, no woman has held the position of Vice President. Women have been marginalised and barely represented in leadership, including Parliament, where female representation has yet to reach the minimum 30% expected of a democratic nation like Ghana.

“Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang’s ascension to this high office amplifies the importance of women in leadership. Her achievement is a bold step forward, and the trickle-down effect will be massive,” she noted.

As Ghana's first female Vice President, Prof Opoku-Agyemang stands as an inspiration for women aspiring to reach the highest levels of leadership in the country.