She was born on 22 November 1951 in Cape Coast, Ghana, as Jane Naana Sam, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang's educational journey began at Anglican Girls' Secondary School, Koforidua, and Aburi Presby Girls' School. She later attended Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast from 1964 to 1971.
Her academic pursuits led her to the University of Cape Coast, where she completed her B.Ed.(Hons) in English and French in 1977. Subsequently, she earned a Diploma in Advanced Studies in French from the University of Dakar. She obtained her master's and doctoral degrees from York University in Toronto, Canada, in 1980 and 1986, respectively.
Academic Career
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang's academic journey has been marked by significant contributions to the University of Cape Coast, where she started teaching in 1986. She held various roles, including Head of the Department of English, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Vice-Chancellor from 2008 to 2012.
Her academic prowess extended internationally, with roles such as Academic Director of the School for International Training in the History and Cultures of the African Diaspora and election as Ghana's representative to the executive board of UNESCO in October 2009.
She also played a prominent role in the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City in March 2007.
Political Career
Appointed Minister for Education from February 2013 to January 2017, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang prioritized empowering girl child education and women. The Inclusive Education Policy 2015 was implemented during her tenure, focusing on inclusiveness in Ghana's educational system.
In the December 2020 presidential election, she made history as the first female running mate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Her campaign emphasized sustainable development and youth-centred policies, securing victories in coastal communities and the Central Region.
Professional Associations and Awards:
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang is affiliated with esteemed organizations, including the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, the University Teachers Association of Ghana, and the International Fulbright Scholars Association.
Her remarkable career has been honoured with awards such as the Officer of the Order of the Volta, Ghana Women of Excellence Award, and recognition for Outstanding Performance in Advancing International Education from the School for International Training in the USA.
In 2020, she was named among the 40 Most Inspirational Female Leaders in Ghana and listed among the 100 most reputable Africans in January 2023.
A devoted Christian, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang worships as a Methodist. She is a proud mother of three children—Dr. Kweku Opoku-Agyemang, Dr. Kwabena Opoku-Agyemang, and Dr. Maame Adwoa Opoku-Agyemang.
On March 7, 2024, the National Executive Committee officially endorsed Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the running mate for the NDC's flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
This decision solidifies her continued prominence in Ghanaian politics, bringing her wealth of academic and political experience to shape the nation's future.
