The University of Cape Coast (UCC) will confer a Distinguished Fellow Award on Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on Friday, March 13.

This is in recognition of her outstanding service to the university and her contributions to national governance.

In a statement dated February 27, 2026, and signed by Acting Director of Public Affairs, Kwabena Antwi-Konadu, UCC said the award celebrates Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s historic election as Ghana’s first female Vice President, describing it as a transformational moment for democracy and gender representation in the country.

“The Award is in recognition of Her Excellency’s distinguished services to the University of Cape Coast as an illustrious alumna and Fellow, as well as her commitment to society, women and children, academia, governance, democracy, leadership, national and global development,” the statement noted.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, an alumna of UCC, previously made history as the first woman to serve as Vice-Chancellor of a public university in Ghana, leading UCC from 2008 to 2012.

Her tenure as Minister for Education from 2013 to 2017 was also highlighted, particularly her efforts to strengthen basic and secondary education, enhance teacher development, and expand access to learning in underserved communities.

She further served as Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa in Zimbabwe from 2018 to 2024, demonstrating her commitment to advancing women’s access to higher education across the continent.

UCC said the award reflects both her distinguished service to the university and her broader impact on governance, education, and women’s empowerment in Ghana and Africa.