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Celebrating women of substance: Meet Very Rev. Dr Mrs Betty Frances Baidoo
● Very Rev. Dr. Mrs Betty Frances Baidoo
As the voices calling for increased inclusion and opportunities for women get louder, a significant number of female professionals continue to prove their mettle in sectors which used to be the preserve of men.
This year’s International Women’s Day celebration was focused on helping bridge the gender gap in the digital space as the ratio of men to women in the area of technology remains unsatisfactory.
That notwithstanding, the day further presents an opportunity to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women at all levels.
In the spirit of celebrating outstanding women, The Spectator puts the spotlight on Very Rev. Dr Mrs Betty Frances Baidoo whose hardwork and tenacity has resulted in her obtaining Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Guidance and Counselling.
She has been a Tutor/Educationist since 1984 and rose through the ranks at different institutions in different regions until the highest academic qualification was conferred on her last week.
BACKGROUND
Very Rev. Dr Mrs Baidoo is a woman of diverse talents and capabilities. In addition to being a Reverend Minister, she is a marriage consultant, love therapist and an expert in handling divorce cases. She was Assistant Headmistress (Administration) at St John’s Grammar School prior to her retirement from the Ghana Education Service.
Born, January 1, 1963 at Aburi Akuapim in the Eastern Region, she is the first of five females born into a priesthood family of which two other siblings are priests; her parents are the Rt Rev. E.K Baiden, a Methodist minister and Ms Rose Baidoo both of blessed memory.
She has been married to Mr Kingsely Baidoo for the past 34 years with five children and six grandchildren. The mother and counsellor has over the years dedicated herself to making a positive impact in her chosen career and help transform lives as a female priest in the Methodist Church Ghana.
Clearly, her hardwork and tenacity has paid off as she encourages other young women to aspire for greatness, irrespective of obstacles they may be confronted with.
Speaking to The Spectator after her Hooding Ceremony recently, the industrious woman of many parts, said women are supposed to complement the effort of men but they should still be willing to take bold steps and consider themselves competent in taking up leadership or managerial roles.
EDUCATION
Rev Dr Mrs Baidoo started her basic education at Mmofra Turom at Kumasi and then proceeded to Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast where she completed and obtained a GCE ‘O’ Level Certificate in 1981 before proceeding to Wesley College, Kumasi, for the Teacher’s Certificate ‘A’ in 1984.
From 2000 to 2004, she studied at the University of Education, Winneba and graduated with Bachelor of Education (BED) in Home Economics. She continued teaching until 2010 when she started a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) course in Guidance and Counselling at the University of Education, Winneba and graduated in 2014.
Two years later, she began her Doctorate Degree in Guidance and Counselling at University of Cape Coast and graduated in 2021.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Rev. Dr Mrs Baidoo’s passion for teaching started at a tender age of 21 years at the Junior Secondary School at Dunkwa-On-Offin in the Central Region. She worked there for two years before moving to the Methodist Middle School at Takoradi in the Western Region.
Between 1990 and 1995, she was at the Rev. Grant JSS at Efiakuma, Takoradi before moving to Akim Oda in the Eastern Region, where she became a Class Teacher, at Freeman Junior High School (JHS).
She further spent seven years teaching at Apam Senior High School prior to becoming a Chaplain and Counsellor at St. Johns Grammar School in 2011.
At St. Johns Grammar School, she held different portfolios including being a Home Economics tutor, Acting Head of Home Economics Department, and Senior Housemistress. Between 2018 and 2020 she was Assistant headmistress (Domestic Welfare).
In 2020 she was elevated to the rank of Assistant Headmistress (Administration) at the same institution.
MINISTERIAL WORK
Currently handling the Anyaa Section of the Awoshie Circuit of the Methodist Church, Rev. Dr Mrs Baidoo has been the Auxiliary Minister at the Grace Society at Kwabenya.
She was the Caretaker Minister at Awortwi Pratt, Gomoa Ajumako Society from 2008 -2011 and went ahead to become the Auxiliary Minister at other church establishments in Accra including St John’s Society, Tantra Hill, Mt Zion Society, Dome, and the Allotey Memorial Society, Asofan.
Her ministerial work also saw her occupy Chaplain positions in local church Circuits such as SUWMA-Kwabenya Circuit, SUWMA-New Achimota Circuit, among others.
She again served as Chairperson of the Coordinating Office for Education and Youth Development, while doubling as Society Secretary of Christ’s Little Band at Apam from 2006 – 2010.
QUALITIES
Throughout her career, Rev. Dr Mrs Betty Frances Baidoo demonstrated excellent leadership and constantly implemented new ideas to help improve the standard of her students and staff. All of these were possible as a result of her effective communication and administrative skills, and the application of good judgment in all endeavours.
In 2009, she was adjudged Best Teacher, Vocational Division in the Gomoa-West Education Directorate. In 2010, she became the Best Teacher, Vocational Division in the Central Region.
She loves conducting research, reading, counselling, and ensuring discipline at all levels of social engagement. No wonder she became the Chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee at St. John’s Grammar School.
OTHER ENGAGEMENTS
Rev. Dr Mrs Baidoo chaired many committees and excelled in other capacities throughout her career. She chaired the Synod Committee of the Northern Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church and also led the COVID-19 team at St. John’s Grammar from 2020 to 2021.
She is a member of the Diocesan Advisory Team for Gender at the Northern Accra Diocese from 2020 to 2021, and was the Chairperson of the Coordinating Office for Social Service at New Achimota Circuit from 2018- 2022.
In 2011, she was a Member of the Counselling Committee at St. John’s Grammar School, and a Member of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Oversight Committee in Gomoa West District in the Central Region from 2009 to 2011.
She was Chairman of the Ghana Home Economics Association, in Gomoa West from 2009 to 2011, and GNAT Local Secretary, at Sekondi in the Western Region from 1992-1998, as well as School Guidance Coordinator at Freeman Junior High School at Akim Oda in the Eastern Region from 1998 to 1999.
By Ernest Nutsugah
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
