Koforidua residents have reacted to National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Mahama’s selection of a running mate for the December 7 general election after picking his former Education Minister Naana Opoku-Agyemang as veep for the 2020 impending elections.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s Vice-Presidential candidacy was revealed at a meeting of the NDC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at the party’s headquarters at Adabraka in Accra Monday.
She beat former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor who was assured of the slot after Dr. Kwesi Botchwey turned down the offer on personal reasons mostly on trust.
Names like Cadman Mills, Nii Noi Thompson were all racing for the position ahead of the general elections in December 2020.
Naana Opoku Agyemang, who is the first female running mate for a major political party in the country, will become Ghana’s first female Vice President if the NDC wins the December polls.
However, some residents in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital have reacted to the said appointment; the majority seems to be happy.
One madam Ayishatu Zakaria Ali said “Congrats Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman, presidential running mate of the biggest opposition party in the country! This is great news for us (women) best wishes”
“Women arise! Now you are fully represented at the highest level of the decision-making table! Collectively, we shall restore dignity and sanity to the office of the Vice President” a taxi driver said.
“Prof Naana Opoku Agyemang is an accomplished, remarkable, and history-making candidate any day: The first female on, indeed, a major party ticket in Ghana, this is a very “interesting choice”. But will it work the magic? Madam comfort said.
“Ghana’s incoming First Female Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman. Prof is credible, incorruptible, truthful, and God-fearing. Congratulations and welcome to the table, mummy. You’re indeed the better person to partner Former President Mahama” Kwabena Amponsah also added.
“You people don’t understand, whoever advised Mahama did the right thing. He could have lost basaaaa, especially how Nana Addo has given us nice free things. I hope Mahama will say Free University because of Prof. Opoku Agyemang” SHS Tutor Mr. Anokye added.
“The future is female; her party may not win this election but just know one thing. Many more like her will arise and win and keep shattering that concrete ceiling”
This seems that the residents are happy with the decision from the largest opposition party.
Below is the profile of Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang;
Born on 22 November 1951 in Cape Coast, Ghana, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang attended Anglican Girls’ Secondary School at Koforidua and Aburi Presby Girls’ School.
She then had her secondary education at the Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast from 1964 to 1971.
She completed B.Ed.(Hons) in English and French at the University of Cape Coast in 1977 and obtained her Masters and Doctorate degrees from York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1980 and 1986 respectively.
Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang taught and worked at the University of Cape Coast, starting in 1986.
She has held various academic positions including Head of the Department of English, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Warden of Adehye Hall, Valco Trust Fund Post-Graduate Hostel, and Dean of School of Graduate Studies and Research.
From 1997, she has held the position of Academic Director of the School for International Training in the History and Cultures of the African Diaspora.
From 2008-2012 she was the University’s Vice-Chancellor.
In March 2007, she was one of five scholars selected to deliver presentations during the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
In October 2009, she was elected Ghana’s representative to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Ahead of the 2012 general elections, Jane Opoku-Agyemang moderated the debate with Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
Between February 2013 and January 2017 she served as the Education Minister of Ghana.
On 26 October 2018, she became the Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa located in Zimbabwe.
She has served on many local and international boards and committees such as the Centre for Democratic Governance, (CDD-Ghana), the Editorial Board of The Harriet Tubman Series on the African Diaspora (Africa World Press Inc. USA), the Africa Initiative in Canada, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons as Eminent Citizen.
She was the first female Vice-Chancellor of a state University in Ghana.
She assumed duty on 1 October 2008, succeeding Emmanuel Addow-Obeng.
Prof. Jane is a former Minister for Education in Ghana.
She was appointed in 2013 by President John Mahama after the 2012 Ghanaian general election and served until January 2017 when the Nana Akuffo-Addo administration was elected to power.
Opoku-Agyemang has been honored with honorary degrees from the University of West Indies and Winston-Salem University.
She has also received an award for Global leadership from the University of South Florida in Tampa.
She has also received the Officer of the Order of the Volta award for Academic Distinction and Ghana Women of Excellence Award in the Education category.
She has been acknowledged for Outstanding Performance in Advancing International Education, School for International Training, Vermont, and the USA on two occasions!
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Evans Boateng
