The University of Cape Coast has announced that it will confer its prestigious Distinguished Fellow Award on Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.

In a press release issued by the University on Friday, February 27, the award is described as recognition of her distinguished service to the institution as an illustrious alumna and Fellow, as well as her longstanding commitment to society, women and children, academia, governance, democracy, leadership, and both national and global development.

The University paid particular tribute to Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s historic achievement as the first female Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, noting that her election marks a transformational moment in the country’s democratic evolution and gender representation.

Her ascent to the high office, the statement said, stands as a defining milestone in Ghana’s political history and a source of inspiration for women and girls across the nation and beyond.

The University also acknowledged her significant contributions to Ghana’s education sector during her tenure as Minister for Education between 2013 and 2017.

During that period, she played a central role in implementing policies aimed at strengthening basic and secondary education systems, advancing teacher development initiatives, expanding access to quality education, and championing equity for girls and marginalised communities.

"Additionally, the University appreciates her remarkable role in policy implementation across Ghana’s educational spectrum as the Minister for Education (2013–2017), focusing on strengthening basic and secondary education systems; teacher development initiatives; expanding access to quality education; and advocating equity for girls and marginalised communities."

Her leadership in the education portfolio, the University noted, contributed meaningfully to shaping reforms across the educational spectrum and reinforcing the foundations of Ghana’s human capital development.

Beyond Ghana’s borders, Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s influence has extended to the wider African continent. The University recognised her appointment as Chancellor of the Women's University in Africa in Zimbabwe, a role she held from 2018 to 2024. In that capacity, she demonstrated sustained commitment to advancing women’s access to higher education and promoting academic excellence across Africa.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s association with the University of Cape Coast is both longstanding and historic. As an alumna, she later returned to serve as Vice-Chancellor from 2008 to 2012, becoming the first female Vice-Chancellor of a public university in Ghana — another landmark achievement in her career.

The University described her journey from student to Vice-Chancellor and now Vice President as emblematic of visionary leadership, academic excellence and dedicated public service.

The Distinguished Fellow Award ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the New Examination Centre (NEC) of the University of Cape Coast.

The University congratulated Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on the honour, describing it as a fitting recognition of her exceptional contributions to education, governance and national development.

"The University of Cape Coast congratulates Her Excellency Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on this distinguished award," the statement concluded.