Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang&#8217;s emergence as Ghana&#8217;s first female vice president brings the West African nation, home to 34 million people and renowned for its democratic institutions, closer to the possibility of electing its first female president — a milestone recently achieved by Namibia with the election of its incumbent vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.



The emergence of 73-year-old Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as Ghana’s first female vice president, places the country among a growing number of African nations advancing gender equality in leadership.



The professor of literature assumed this role after the reelection of former President John Dramani Mahama under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the December 7, 2024, elections.



&#8220;My nomination has many, many implications&#8230; It means all of us are on board. The victory is for all of us, but especially for our daughters, for our youth, for our women&#8230; I know this is a big responsibility&#8230; My job was to open the door, and it doesn&#8217;t end there. Actually, that is where the work begins. I will hold the door open. The method of holding the door open so others wish to travel that door is what I&#8217;m implying,&#8221; Opoku-Agyemang said during her speech on Monday at Mahama’s campaign office in Cantonments of the capital Accra.



Her emphasis on empowerment and inclusion aligns with findings from Women Political Leaders and the Oliver Wyman Forum, which suggest that greater female representation at the highest levels of government helps dismantle legal inequality between men and women.



This development represents a significant step forward for Ghana, where women constitute 51% of the population but hold only 14.5% of parliamentary seats, according to the World Bank. This figure falls well below the global average of 26.9%.



“It reflects the growing recognition of women’s capabilities and contributions to governance, inspiring hope that Ghana is indeed moving closer to producing its first female president. I believe this development will encourage more women to participate in politics and strive for the highest levels of leadership, ultimately enriching our democracy and driving national progress,” Ghanaian singer Jane Awindor, known as Efya, says to FORBES AFRICA.



Opoku-Agyemang’s achievement builds on her career. In 2008, she became the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, and she served as Ghana’s Minister of Education from 2013 to 2017 under Mahama’s administration. She was also the first woman to be nominated as a vice-presidential candidate for a major Ghanaian political party in 2020, although that election bid was unsuccessful.



“Having the first female vice president in a gender-conservative country like Ghana is a huge win for gender inclusiveness. The ultimate goal of a woman commander-in-chief following this historic elevation is in plain sight. The character, composure, integrity, and highest personal achievement of Vice President-elect, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, powerfully challenges the cultural and social status quo that questions the capabilities of a female president. Today, the question should no longer be, ‘Are Ghanaians ready for a female president?’ It is now a case of Ghanaians in anticipation of the next president who will serve in humility and with integrity without gender consideration,” says Ghanaian entrepreneur Bernard Agbonoshie.



These advancements reflect a broader evolution in Ghana’s gender dynamics. The country moved up 12 places in the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, ranking 88th out of 146 nations. This progress is supported by shifting societal attitudes; a 2022 Afrobarometer survey revealed that 67% of Ghanaians support women’s equal participation in politics.



Ghana is not alone in embracing women’s leadership. Rwanda, for example, leads the world with 61.3% female representation in parliament. Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Namibia’s Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, recently elected as the country’s first female president, further demonstrate the transformative impact of women in leadership across Africa.



“Despite the progress, I cannot say if we are close or not to having a female president. The appointment of a woman as vice president is a major step, but it remains difficult for many people to fully grasp. Some voters even chose not to support John Mahama because of his preference for Prof Jane Opoku-Agyemang as his running mate. This reflects a section of Ghanaian society that is hesitant to empower women in high political offices. My hope is that this new chapter for Prof Jane Opoku-Agyemang will strengthen the push for more women to be given high political office. The public’s response to this development will give us a clearer answer to whether we are ready for a female president,” shares Ghanaian researcher Nathan Quao.



As of early 2024, women held only 27.3% of parliamentary seats across sub-Saharan Africa. Many nations continue to face institutional and cultural barriers that limit women’s political participation. “This progress will not end here, as we are likely to see more women stepping forward in the near future. It is truly inspiring to see a woman occupy such a high position in the land. Her acceptance speech on opening the door is a powerful statement highlighting her dedication and underscores Ghana’s progress towards gender equality in politics!” says Ghanaian interior designer Belle Yemofio to FORBES AFRICA.

Tag: Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang

FORBES AFRICA SOCIAL MEDIA

‘Huge Win For Gender Inclusiveness’: Ghana’s First Female Vice President A Step Forward For African Politics