Could This Be The Fulfilment Of Literary Prophecy? Prof Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang

On 6^th July 2020, the former president, John Dramani Mahama named Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang as his running mate. The two; John and Jane hope to secure victory for the National Democratic Congress party in the upcoming 2020 general elections. The former president, John Dramani described her as "God-fearing, a distinguished scholar, a conscientious public servant and a role model". The nomination of Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, former Education Minister and a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has received arousing response. Some Ghanaians have applauded the former president for such an initiative whereas others have registered their displeasure. To whatever opinions that may suffice, a decision has been taken and that Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang stands to drive the power behind John Dramani Mahama to victory in the 2020 general elections.

Briefly, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang obtained her Higher Diploma of French Studies from the University of Dakar, Senegal in 1976, a B. A. (Hons) with a Diploma in Education from the UCC in 1977, Masters and Doctorate degrees from the York University in Toronto, Canada in 1980 and 1986 respectively. In relation to this development, this article is concerned with posing a question to Ghanaians could the nomination of Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang be a fulfilment of literary prophecy? The thrust of this literary prophecy hopes that a female could be elected as the president to shatter the male glass ceiling of being higher occupants in our political terrain. This is carefully presented in Ama Ata Aidoo’s novel “She-Who-Would-Be-King” in her collection “The Girl Who Can and Other Short Stories” (1997).

Fast forward, one would ask what is literary prophecy? Briefly, literary prophecy is a message that is claimed by a prophet to have been communicated to them by a deity. Such messages typically involve inspiration, interpretation, or revelation of divine will concerning the prophet's social world and events to come. In view of this, scholars in the field of African literature write to lament on a situation with the aim of seeking for change. Ama Ata Aidoo, household name in African literature is one such key writer. Ama Ata Aidoo is a strong advocate of women empowerment and she has creatively situated this in her fictional narratives. Aidoo believes that the improvement of the condition of women’s lives should not be separated from their contribution to nation–building through alternative roles other than those of marriage, hitherto, prescribed for them by the society. Aidoo breaks down complacencies and reveals that most of those myths which tend to inhibit woman are all social constructs and can be reversed.

It can be argued that literal interpretation of the title of the story indicates a woman rising to become a “king” but in our traditional parlance, woman is elected as a “queen”. It can be inferred that a critical examination of the text is to create the awareness to Ghanaians and other African countries that a “She” can be elected as president. The basic aim of this literary piece is to create spaces for females to occupy higher political positions. Liberia has set the pace for other African countries to emulate when Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected as the 24th President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018. Sirleaf is the first elected female head of state in African political history.

Fellow Ghanaians, Aidoo’s text “She-Who-Would-Be-King”, opens with a strong feminist activist's assertion that whatever social inhibitions, there is hope for women to occupy higher political position. In “She-Who-Would-Be-King”, Aidoo takes us to the future, precisely 25th May 2026, where a woman has been elected President of a United Confederation of Africa. In the story, the young girl, the protagonist emerges not just a president, but the president of the Confederation of African States (CAS) where men in the individual countries are still reluctant to accept that a woman is as capable as a man. Thus, unwilling even to discuss the fact that a woman is the president-confirming traditional notions, that women must not lead. There are some intriguing questions that Aidoo poses in her masterpiece.

“So what did you say you will be when you grow up? She-of-10-years-old; “The President”. “The what?” “The President” “The President” of what?” “This country” “W-H-A-T?”! “Why not?” “You are mad”. “I’m not”. “Anyway, you can never be the President of this country”. “Why not?” “Listen, I don’t think the men of this country will ever let a woman be their President”. “No? We shall see”.

Relating it to the current political development, the nomination of Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang seems to be a fulfilment in Aidoo’s novel entitled “She–Who–Would–Be-King”. Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang is not the first female to be nominated as a running mate in Ghana’s political landscape. Some charismatic women have been nominated in such political position. Prof Naa Afarley Sackeyfio was Kwabena Darko's NIP running mate in 1992, Petra Amegashie was running mate of Dan Lartey's GCPP in 2000, Patricia Ameku was running mate in 2008 for DFP with Presidential Candidate Emmanuel Ansah Antwi, Cherita Sarpong was Dr. Abu Sakara Foster's running mate for the CPP 2012, Late Ing. Eva Lokko run with Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom in 2012, Helen Matervi run with Dr. Hassan Ayariga in 2012 and Brigitte Dzogbenuku with Papa Kwesi Nduom in 2016. However, the nomination of Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman stands out in Ghana’s political space. It is the first time in the history of Ghanaian politics for the biggest opposition party to nominate a female as a running mate. Surprisingly, some male names; Kwesi Botchway, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, Bannerman Nii Moi Thompson, that were making waves prior to the meeting could not be nominated.

Ghanaians are calmly waiting if Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang will become the first female vice-president in our political history. The outcome of the 2020 general elections would determine the next person who will lead NDC as the flag bearer in 2024. This is in the hands of the Council of Elders of the Umbrella Party. “If she is given the nod” to lead the party in 2024, will it be a fulfilment of Aidoo’s literary prophecy? Even if “She” is not given the opportunity to serve as a flag bearer in 2024, will her nomination have greater impact on Ghanaian politics? Such that we are likely to have in the future female flag bearers of the two major political parties in the years to come as Ama Ata Aidoo professed in “She-Who-Would-Be-King”? A question to fellow Ghanaians; Will A Mother Become The President of Our Motherland? Perhaps with the decision made by the former president, John Dramani, we are fast approaching the era of female presidency.

Gideon Asante Yeboah
Vivian Akos Larbi