Ghana’s 1st Female Vice President: A New Chapter for Women’s Leadership

The Republic of Ghana has entered a new chapter in its political history with the swearing-in of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the country’s first female Vice President. This moment is more than just a political victory for the National Democratic Congress (NDC); it marks a national milestone. The NDC has been one of the two major political parties in Ghana since 1992. Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s rise to the second-highest office challenges long-held assumptions about gender and leadership, demonstrating that positions of power are not solely reserved for men. It also ignites an important conversation about what women’s leadership means for gender equality, national development, and social transformation across the Global South.

Before the presidential election, Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s nomination sparked public debates. Many questioned whether Ghana was “ready” for a female vice president. Research by scholars like Amenyedzi (2021) indicates that these negative discourses and doubts often stem from long-standing cultural beliefs that associate leadership with men. Her rise directly challenges these patriarchal ideas. However, it is important to remember that Ghana’s history is filled with strong and influential women. Queen mothers, market leaders, and community organizers have shaped society for generations. A notable example is Yaa Asantewaa, the Queen Mother of Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, who led the famous 1900 resistance against British colonial forces. Her bold words, “If you, men, will not go forward, then we will… We will fight until the last of us falls,” remain a symbol of courage and leadership in Ghana.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s own path reflects the value of women’s contributions to national development. She earned her PhD in English Literature from York University in Canada in 1986 and built an accomplished career as an educationist. She later became the first woman to serve as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast. This distinguished record shows that women have long held important roles in education and culture. Her election simply brings this leadership into Ghana’s highest political spaces.

Her breakthrough matters for many reasons. Studies across Africa, including work by Darkwah and Iheka (2025), show that when women lead, they often bring attention to issues affecting vulnerable and marginalized groups. In Ghana, women have never held more than 20% of the seats in Parliament, largely due to structural and cultural barriers. Evidence from various countries suggests that women leaders often prioritize social welfare, education, community health, and long-term development. For example, Liberia’s first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, rose to power after years of civil war when the country needed peace, stability, and a trustworthy leader. Many Liberians believed that women were less connected to the warlords who caused the conflict. Sirleaf’s integrity and international reputation made her a symbol of hope and national rebuilding. Her leadership demonstrated how women can guide nations through difficult moments.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s success did not come easily. Findings by Brantuo et al. (2025) identify four factors that often support women’s political achievements: financial resources, party support, strong community relationships, and solid educational backgrounds. Her long career as a scholar, Vice-Chancellor, and former Minister of Education helped her build the credibility, networks, and experience needed to reach this level of leadership. Her story highlights the importance of investing in women’s education, mentorship, and leadership pathways.

Her nomination also sparked debates within Ghana’s feminist movement. As Fofie (2025) explains, some activists celebrated her rise as a major victory, while others saw it as a symbolic representation that does not necessarily change the deeper inequalities faced by most women. This discussion shows that feminism in Ghana is not a single unified voice. True gender equality requires attention to differences in class, privilege, and access. It also reminds us that women in politics continue to face challenges such as high campaign costs, cultural expectations, and weak support systems. Scholars like Awusi et al. (2023) argue that lasting progress requires clear policies such as affirmative action, financial support for female candidates, and political education for communities.

Ghana’s first female Vice President is not only a historic achievement but also a reminder of the work that lies ahead. Professor Opoku-Agyemang has shown what is possible when women are given the opportunity to lead. The challenge now is to ensure that her success paves the way for many more women, so that female leadership becomes a normal part of Ghana’s political landscape. With this development, the prospect of Ghana electing its first female president no longer feels distant. As the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Ghana must continue to take deliberate and pragmatic steps to promote women’s participation, encourage inclusive leadership, and place gender and development at the center of national discourse.

 References

Amenyedzi, S. B. (2021). Leadership roles for indigenous Ghanaian women: The case of Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang as vice-presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). African Thought: A Journal of Afro-Centric Knowledge, 1(se1), 169-191.

Awusi, M., Addae, D., & Frimpong Kwapong, O. A. T. (2023). Tackling the legislative underrepresentation of women in Ghana: Empowerment strategies for broader gender parity. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1), 100717.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100717

Brantuo, M., Nunfam, V. F., Asitik, J. A., & Afrifa-Yamoah, E. (2025). Bridging the gender gap in Ghanaian local governance: Key enablers and pathways. Social Politics, 00(00), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1093/sp/jxaf035

Darkwah, A., & Iheka, C. (2025). (Re)presenting women’s political participation on the continent. African Studies Review, 68(2), 222–226. https://doi.org/10.1017/asr.2025.10060

Fofie, I. M. (2025). “My feminism is better than yours!”: The lack of intersectionality in feminist digital discourses in Ghana. Feminist Media Studies, 25(1), 154–167. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2023.2276065