These are the leadership qualities of the first female Vice President of Ghana, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.

Professor Naana Opoku-Agyemang’s dedication to work is evident in how she complements the efforts of President John Dramani Mahama. She has quietly but actively supported the President in providing the needed pivot and respect for the nation’s forward march.

In Ghana, the Vice President is the number two official in government and is regarded as the next most powerful person after the President — both in theory and in practice.

As such, Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has proven herself to be a humble leader whose humility knows no bounds. What the people of Ghana seek is a humble, selfless, truly confident, intelligent, non-corrupt, God-fearing Vice President who is hardworking and focused.

She is well recognised for her many achievements and immense contributions to the polity, communal liberalism, growth, and the general welfare of the people of Ghana. Beyond these, she is dearly loved and respected.

She has remained in the consciousness of her friends and contemporaries as a builder of human social bridges. She is a teacher, technocrat, democrat, and a woman of transparent honesty and humility — a perfect lady and a loving mother to the less privileged in society. She is an unshakable believer in unity.

She interacts and consults extensively with the media to acquaint herself with national issues rather than seeking attention through excessive talk.

Every nation’s leadership looks for the kind of women it needs to drive policies. Some succeed and deliver on policy objectives without making noise, ensuring that the machinery of governance moves in the right direction without losing focus.

A leader succeeds by selecting the right team that buys into his vision and programmes and achieves his objectives. That is why some Presidents retain certain elements in their Cabinet for a long time.

President Mahama has maintained confidence in Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, recognising her loyalty to the party and her peaceful conduct in office.

President Mahama recently paid glowing tribute to his Vice President during a national Thanksgiving service marking one year in office. He described her as a pillar of support and an exemplar of integrity in national leadership.

“I reserve my special thanks for my Vice President, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, a woman of dignity and quiet strength,” the President declared.

He added that her leadership qualities and commitment to duty have been invaluable to the administration. “I could not have wished for a better assistant to help me bear the heavy load Ghanaians have entrusted to me,” he said, acknowledging the pressures of governance.

The President concluded by invoking God’s blessings upon her: “Nana Jane, God richly bless you.”

The Vice President has also played a key role in the success of the NDC government. Her mastery of public administration and her ability to balance policy priorities, political dynamics, and economic challenges have been commendable.

She has consistently called on Ghanaians to remain patient and keep faith with the government as it works toward lasting national transformation.

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang currently chairs the 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.

As the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, serving from 2008 to 2012, she broke barriers and demonstrated exemplary leadership. She later served as Minister for Education from 2013 to 2017, championing reforms aimed at expanding access and strengthening quality within the education sector.

Her influence extends beyond Ghana. From 2018 to 2024, she served as 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, underscoring her continental stature in advancing gender equity and education.

She understands the workings of ministries, departments, and agencies, and appreciates the dynamics between government programmes and opposition responses. As the President’s trusted ally and chief strategist, she plays a crucial role in navigating issues between the executive and the legislature.

When she speaks, it is grounded in facts. Over the years, she has quietly brokered truces and eased tensions on several national issues, including in her capacity as Chairperson of the Police and Armed Forces Council.

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is a quiet yet vibrant woman whose depth of knowledge is remarkable. She understands Ghana’s current economic conditions and works tirelessly with her team to address national challenges for the benefit of all.

All must rally behind the Vice President to ensure her continued success for Mother Ghana.

About The Writer

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

He previously served as Media Aide to the late Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur and 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 the sub-region and has participated in eight ECOWAS Election Observation Missions, serving in leadership roles across West Africa, including assignments in Guinea Conakry, Togo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Benin.

A trained, experienced, and accredited long- and short-term election observer, Mr Addo is also a forthright public commentator widely known for his vocal style.

She made the call while speaking at the First Annual National Forum on Women in Government and Media, held at the Presidency, where she underscored the importance of confidence, resilience, and intentional collaboration between women in public service and the media.

According to the Vice President, the relationship between women in government and those in the media must be deliberate and strategic, noting that the media plays a powerful role in shaping public perception and influencing how women are viewed in leadership.

She expressed concern that public discourse often places undue emphasis on women’s physical appearance rather than their competence, intelligence, and professional achievements — a trend she said undermines their contributions and limits opportunities for leadership.

She therefore urged women to reject intimidation and societal pressures that seek to define or restrict them.

The Vice President encouraged women to remain confident in their identity and capabilities, emphasising that confidence is essential for effective leadership and meaningful participation in national affairs.

She further noted that countries that actively integrate women into decision-making processes tend to build stronger institutions, achieve more stable governance, and promote inclusive economic growth.

According to her, women must not be seen merely as beneficiaries of development, but as key drivers of progress and transformation.

She also stressed that increasing women’s representation in leadership does not mean lowering standards, but rather ensuring that qualified and capable women are given the opportunity to serve.

She urged women currently serving in government and public institutions to lead with integrity, communicate transparently, and actively mentor younger women to prepare the next generation of leaders.

The forum brought together women from government and media institutions to discuss strategies for strengthening collaboration, promoting fair representation, and advancing gender inclusion in national development.

She made the appeal while delivering a tribute at funeral rites held in his honour at the National Mosque in Accra on Sunday, January 11.

According to the Vice President, Hon. Mahama’s life and public service offer enduring lessons in leadership, humility, and compassion that should guide both public office holders and citizens.

“We often celebrate only the things that make us happy. But life is not all about us; sometimes it is about what challenges or disappoints us. From Hon. Mahama, we have learned composure—the kind that allows for clear thinking and effective advice. We have learned compassion, focus, discipline, generosity, and the ability to consider others before self.

“By focusing on responsibilities and striving to improve the lives of others, we gain invaluable lessons. My prayer is that we each take one or two of these lessons and put them into practice,” she said.

The Vice President added that embracing such values could significantly enhance governance and improve the quality of life for citizens nationwide.

Meanwhile, National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary Fifi Kwetey also paid tribute to the late MP, praising his dedication to both the party and his constituents.

“We thank him for his service to our great party, as MP for Ayawaso East, and for his unwavering commitment to his constituency and party,” he said.

Hon. Naser Toure Mahama passed away on January 4, 2026, just days after commencing his fourth term in Parliament. He is remembered for his quiet service, humility, and steadfast commitment to constituency-focused leadership.

In her festive message, the Vice President encouraged citizens and public officials alike to reflect on their shared responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to national development.

She emphasized the importance of reaching out to the vulnerable and working collectively to shape the Ghana everyone aspires to see.

“May this sacred season remind us of the profound gifts of hope, peace, love, and compassion that the Saviour brought to humanity. In this spirit, let us reach out to the vulnerable, share with those in need, and extend kindness to one another,” she stated.

Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang added that the light of Christmas should inspire greater service, harmony, and progress, linking the festive season to the government’s ongoing efforts to reset and strengthen the nation’s socio-economic foundation.

She said such institutions were essential in training the much-needed doctors required to serve communities across the country.

Speaking at the Sixth Congregation of the Accra College of Medicine (ACM), which also marked the institution’s 10th Anniversary, the Vice President witnessed the graduation of 23 new doctors, which was ACM’s largest cohort to date.

This year, 13 per cent of the graduating class earned distinctions in at least one clinical discipline.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang highlighted the direct impact of private medical institutions on healthcare delivery, noting that ACM graduates were serving in hospitals nationwide.

Many of those graduates, she noted, were progressing into specialist postgraduate training, a testament to the strength of their foundational education.

“An army, formed here, now serves across Ghana. This is a credit to the institution and all who have been part of it,” she said.

The Vice President emphasised the expanding role of private medical education in bridging healthcare gaps and urged the new doctors to prioritise service in underserved areas.

“Many of our communities face serious gaps in healthcare access, and those best equipped to help must prioritise the duty they have chosen over personal convenience,” she charged the graduates.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang noted the opportunities that colleges like ACM offered to passionate young people who might otherwise be denied entry into public medical schools due to highly competitive cut-off points.

“By identifying and nurturing talent, private institutions complement government efforts to strengthen human resources in the health sector,” she said.

Reflecting on ACM’s decade-long journey, she noted that the college, established in 2015 as a private independent institution, was founded with a clear vision to deliver high-quality, research-driven medical training tailored to Ghana and Africa’s health challenges.

It is affiliated with the University of Ghana and accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and the Medical and Dental Council.

“The seed planted a decade ago has grown into a living institution where science meets compassion and knowledge is tempered by conscience,” the Veep added.

Professor Afua Hesse, President of ACM, noted that 97 per cent of the college’s alumni were serving in hospitals and health institutions across Ghana.

She highlighted the school’s growth, saying 62 per cent of its student population is female, with investment in cutting-edge educational technologies such as the Anatomage 3D anatomy platform and Cyberpatient virtual simulation software.

Prof Hesse outlined ambitious plans for the next decade, including the launch of a Graduate Entry Medical Programme and expanded scholarship opportunities to make medical education more accessible.

A total of 65 credits were recorded across the three core disciplines of Medicine, Surgery and Community Health, underscoring the high calibre of the new medical practitioners. Ms Malegho Chelsie Jomsentuh was adjudged Valedictorian.

She is expected to deliver Ghana’s national statement on behalf of the President, emphasising the country’s commitment to equitable Africa–Europe partnerships grounded in mutual respect, shared prosperity and strategic cooperation.

Her address will also highlight Ghana’s call for a more inclusive and representative global governance system.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang will speak to an audience of Heads of State, AU and EU leaders, and key international stakeholders.

She will outline Ghana’s priorities in economic stability, job creation, food security, climate action, peace and security, and value-chain transformation, with particular focus on agriculture and cocoa.

The Vice President will also highlight Ghana’s ongoing economic recovery and structural reforms, including the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy, the push for local value addition in cocoa, infrastructure expansion under the Big Push Initiative, enhanced agricultural financing, and the economic empowerment of women through the forthcoming Women’s Development Bank.

Her participation, according to the Presidency, reinforces Ghana’s commitment to constructive dialogue, strengthened partnerships, and a united African voice on global challenges.

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