Realistic Opportunity to Have a Female Vice President: Long Overdue But Timely

The Republic of Ghana has been practising constitutional democratic governance since 1992. The universally accepted values of democratic governance which include equity, participation and responsiveness also takes cognizance of gender balance as an important indicator in various developmental efforts. Therefore, the issues of gender equality relative to political power have gained global attention with notable references to prominent nations like Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand and Finland whose political leaders who are women.

Representation of women in mainstream politics in Ghana has been a sensitive matter. Although there has been a tremendous effort to close the deficit and underrepresentation of women, having a woman with a realistic chance to the highest political office has eluded Ghanaians. Since the country reverted to constitutional rule in 1992, some political parties have chosen women as running mates in their effort to win political power. However, none of these political parties was able to win political power to materialise the ambition of having a woman to occupy the second highest executive office of the Republic.

In the 4th Republican dispensation, the presidency has consistently alternated between the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress through seven electoral cycles since 1992 whicb has made Ghana one of the most stable democracies in Africa. As the politics shape up prior to the December 2020 pools in Ghana, the leader and flag bearer of the largest opposition party (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has named Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as his running mate. Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang is an established educationist who became the first female Vice-Chancellor of a public university in Ghana - the University of Cape Coast, in 2008. Among other portfolios, she served as the Education Minister between 2013 and January 2017.

Having in mind the history of the two dominant political forces since 1992 in Ghana, the nomination of the Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang by the NDC presents a “more realistic opportunity” for Ghana to have her first female Vice President. In a country where women constitute over 51% of the population and have made immense contributions to socio-economic development by virtue of their dual roles in professional and domestic obligations, there cannot be a better time to have a test case for women at the peak of leadership capacities.

Beyond the political party she represents, she represents all women. Prof’s nomination is major breakthrough and a break away from women’s limitations to occupy the highest public office of the land. Should she succeed in making this history, let’s all support her quest to represent women well.

Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, congratulations on your accomplishments thus far.

Written By;

Reforce Okwei

Contact: [email protected]