Ghana makes history with first female Vice President-elect, Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyeman

 Ghana has made history by electing its first female Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman. This milestone marks a signif­icant step forward for women’s represen­tation in Ghanaian politics.

This is also a testament to the progress Ghana has made in pro­moting gender equal­ity and women’s empow­erment which has the tendency to inspire future generations of wom­en to pursue careers in politics and public service.

This historic feat comes at a time that Ghana’s Parliament had passed the Affirmative Action and Gender Equity law which has been assented by the President, a legal document to demand gender parity in Ghana.

Currently, the agenda to increase women’s participation in political leadership is receiv­ing universal support through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 5.5 which seeks to ensure women’s full and effective partic­ipation and equal opportunities for leadership, and at all levels of decision-making including political, economic and public life.

Women’s representation in politi­cal decision making continues to increase but at a dragging pace, years after the Beijing Platform for Action, which remains the world’s most compre­hensive agenda for gender equality.

Globally, research by the United Nations Women (UN Women) estimates that men represent 77 per cent of parlia­mentarians, 82 per cent of government ministers, 93 per cent of heads of government and 94 per cent of heads of state.

Today, it is possi­ble for one to name all of the current fe­male leaders within few minutes, which is why whenever a woman gets to the top of an organisa­tion or political par­ty, it makes global headlines.

Since the nomina­tion of Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman as the running mate of NDC’s flag bear­er, many women groups have issued congratulatory messages with many women fan clubs springing up.

In order to pave way for women and girls to enter into politics in the near future, Ghana’s Vice Pres­ident-elect on Monday reaffirmed her commitment to inclusivity and empowerment and vowed to pave the way for others to succeed in her groundbreaking role.

She said her election as the first vice president in Ghana’s history was not about personal glory but it was about creating opportunity for all.

Prof Opoku-Agyeman said “I know this is a big responsibility, and I don’t intend to travel the journey by myself. You are all part of it. NDC is an inclusive party, and we are demonstrating it in many ways.

“My job was to open the door and it does not end there, actual­ly, that is where the work begins. I will hold the door open. The method is holding the door open so other wish to travel that door is what I’m implying. It is not self-ag­grandising positing, it is a position that empowers others”, she said.

Prof Opoku-Agyeman called on all Ghanaian to contribute to the collective goal of improving collective growth particularly for the marginalized and vulnerable in society.

 By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu