Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang: Breaking the proverbial glass ceiling

When Her Excellency Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang was nominated as the running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), many observers described it as a strategic political calculation; some viewed it as tactical and others chose to see it as a symbolic move.

It is fair to say that the narrative has shifted a year into office. She has demonstrated substance beyond symbolism and steadiness beyond expectation.

In spite of her human, not “woman” frailties, she has proved her mettle and indeed become a woman of hearts.

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang (Ghana) is not new to leadership. She is a seasoned educationist and human rights advocate, and her public service spans decades.

She served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) from 2008 to 2012, being the first woman to hold that office.

She later served as the Minister for Education of Ghana from 2013 to 2017,where she championed reforms aimed at expanding access and strengthening quality within the education sector.

Her influence extends beyond the borders of Ghana. From 2018 to 2024, she served as the chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa in Harare, Zimbabwe. She also served as President of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and Chairperson of the Africa Board.

These positions underscore her continental stature in advancing gender equity and education. She has been recognized among Africa’s most influential women in recent years; her journey reflects both scholarship and service.

A Historic Milestone in Governance. Her elevation as the first female Vice President of Ghana marks a historic milestone in the nation’s democratic journey. It is a powerful affirmation that women can and do excel in the highest and most demanding political offices. In her current role, she has been described as bringing depth, experience, and calm resolve to governance.

She played a significant role during the transition period, contributing to institutional continuity and stability. Her leadership style, measured yet firm, reflects a lifetime of academic discipline and principled advocacy.

More importantly, her presence in the Jubilee House sends a message to every Ghanaian girl: the glass ceiling is not impenetrable. Gender Equality as a Development Imperative.

Vice President Opoku-Agyemang has consistently articulated a clear philosophy: gender equality is not a favour to women; it is a development necessity. She maintains that when women and girls are empowered, when their rights are protected and their voices amplified, the dividends extend to families, communities and the nation at large.

Her advocacy aligns with Ghana’s broader institutional frameworks, including Gender, Children and Social Protection. Legislative milestones such as the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences provide legal safeguards against discrimination and abuse, reinforcing the principle that equality must be protected not only in rhetoric but in law.

She has repeatedly emphasized that education remains the most powerful tool for transformation. As an educationist at heart, she understands that empowering women through quality education, healthcare access and economic opportunity is the surest pathway to breaking cycles of poverty and vulnerability.

Inclusion Beyond Rhetoric

Her commitment to inclusion extends to persons with disabilities and marginalized communities. A recent engagement with the leadership of New Horizon Special School highlighted the critical importance of special education — not only for children with special needs, but also for families navigating complex social realities.

Her message was simple yet profound: differences must never be grounds for exclusion. One nation means making room for everyone.

Equally, her engagement with traditional weavers and designers from Agotime in the Volta Region custodians of Kente demonstrates her belief in the power of culture as both identity and economic resource. The recent global recognition of kente as part of UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity underscores the importance of safeguarding indigenous knowledge systems. Supporting creative industries, she argues, is both cultural preservation and economic strategy.

A Woman of Many Firsts

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang’s journey is defined by “firsts”: first female Vice-Chancellor of UCC, first female Vice President of Ghana. Yet her story is not merely about breaking records. It is about breaking barriers.

In a political terrain often described as tough and unforgiving, women have historically occupied supportive roles. Today, more women are stepping into positions once thought unattainable. Her trajectory embodies the narrative that women not only belong at decision-making tables but can lead them with competence and conviction.

The proverbial glass ceiling is not shattered in a single blow; it cracks through persistence, excellence and courage. In Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Ghana sees not just a symbol, but a stateswoman one who has proven that leadership is defined not by gender, but by vision, integrity and service. As the nation continues its democratic evolution, her presence in high office stands as both a milestone and mandate: a reminder that inclusive leadership is not optional it is essential to national progress. Vice president Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, with an innovative approach first of it kind has conducted an extensive working visits to several ministries and agencies in the country.

These visits are aimed to assess operations, strengthen, and support key sectors in government. The tours, are designed to align ministerial actions with national development goals.

These tours highlight a proactive approach by the Vice President in, engaging directly with public sector institutions in early 2026. She has adapted the touching the base approach with market women، recently she also joined the Greater Accra Markets Association (GAMA) End of Year Gathering and General Meeting 2026.Reaffirming Government’s commitment to establishing the Women’s Development Bank.

As government is taking deliberate steps to ensure the Bank is structured to serve its intended purpose. As government is determined to build progressively and deliver on a mandate that genuinely benefits those who have long been left in the gaps of the economic system. Emphasising that the women in our markets deserve nothing less. President John Dramani Mahama has once again reposed confidence in her and has tasked her chair a newly inaugurated 12-member Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy, tasked with providing strategic direction and policy advice on the management and transformation of Ghana’s economy.

The committee is expected to assess prevailing economic conditions and recommend measures aimed at stabilising the macroeconomic environment, boosting investor confidence, and accelerating inclusive growth.

About the Writer

Maxwell Okamafo Addo is a Ghanaian farmer, journalist and social media influencer best known for his work in presidential reporting. His hobbies are farming and playing golf.

He previously served as Media Aide to the late Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur / Matilda Amissah-Arthur and was a former organiser of the Presidential Press Corps under the late President John Evans Atta Mills.

He has also worked as a presidential speechwriter within in the sub-region.

Maxwell Okamafo Addo has participated in Eight ECOWAS Election Observation Missions, serving in leadership roles across West Africa. These include:

1. Team Leader, Guinea Conakry Presidential Elections (2015)

2. ⁠Team Leader, Togolese Presidential Elections (2015 )

3. ⁠Team Leader, Nigeria Presidential Elections (2015)

4. ⁠Team Leader Baukina Faso Presidential Elections (2020)

5. ⁠Team Leader, Benin Presidential Elections (2021)

6. Team Leader,Togo Legislative Elections (2024)

7. Team Leader Long Term Nigeria Presidential/ Legislative Elections in charge of Abuja FCT (2023)

8. ⁠Lead Member Preliminary Declaration Team Nigeria Elections Media (2023)

9. ⁠Team Leader Lagos Nigerian Governatorial Election - Governorship (2023) A trained, experienced, and accredited long - and short-term election observer.

Addo is also a forthright public commentator, widely known for his vocal style, often controversial, political, social, and Christian perspectives.