In January 2025, Ghana achieved a significant milestone. Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang was appointed as the nation's first female ...
In January 2025, Ghana achieved a significant milestone. Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang was appointed as the nation's first female Vice President, shattering a barrier that had persisted since the country gained independence.
Now, with three years remaining until 2028, one must pose the question that makes some uneasy and others excited: could she reach the highest level? Can a young woman dare to dream? Definitely. And she should dream boldly.
Let's take a look at what Ghana's current Vice President has to offer, shall we?
Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the Vice President of Ghana, appeared stylish at a recent formal event.
A former Minister of Education who held office between 2013 and 2017, a literary expert, university vice-chancellor, and the first female to head a major political party's campaign. Examine these qualifications. Yet that is the issue: when a woman performs exceptionally well, she can still be completely ignored.
Michelle Obama once shared her thoughts on her grandmother's challenges in the workplace, highlighting how capable women often faced invisible barriers while less competent men moved up the ranks. This situation seems familiar. In Ghana, women make up 51.2 percent of the population yet hold only 15.6 percent of seats in parliament, far below the United Nations' target of 30 percent. When half the population has less than a sixth of the influence, it's clear there's a serious issue.
Critics will focus on Tanzania. It's always the case. Samia Suluhu Hassan made history in 2021 as Tanzania's first woman president, taking over following her predecessor's passing. At first, she was seen as a positive change, but Hassan later encountered criticism for becoming more authoritarian, with her re-election in October 2025 being surrounded by claims of suppression and voting issues.
But here's the reality that must be stated: Hassan's move towards authoritarianism is not related to her gender. It's about power, party structures, and political systems that favor strong leadership over inclusive approaches. Her party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi, has been in control since 1961. This isn't a women's issue; it's a democracy issue.
However, when Hassan adopted an authoritarian approach, a well-known cartoonist portrayed her as a "Dictatoress." Not a dictator, but a "dictatoress!" It seems that even oppression must be assigned a gender. One might question whether the repressive methods of her male predecessors were ever similarly characterized in a feminine manner. The answer, naturally, is no.
Women in positions of leadership walk a difficult balance. Being too gentle may lead to being seen as ineffective. Being too strict can make them appear authoritarian. Showing too much emotion might result in being considered unstable. Staying too calm can make them seem unfeeling. As Michelle Obama wisely noted: "When you aren't being heard, why wouldn't you speak up more? If you're dismissed as angry or emotional, doesn't that only reinforce the same issues?"
The stereotype acts like a real trap, capturing women no matter what they do. A man who is strong is seen as determined; a woman who is the same is considered bossy. A man who fosters agreement is viewed as diplomatic; a woman doing the same is seen as weak. The guidelines for interaction change based on the person involved.
Ghana is not free from these prejudices. Studies indicate that 95 percent of candidates in Ghana have faced humiliating remarks and false gossip, a type of political aggression that impacts both women and men. However, when this hostility is aimed at women, it has additional impact, more attention, and more severe outcomes. The responsibility of being a representative means that a single woman's perceived failure can be used to undermine the aspirations of all women.
Let's tackle the obvious issue (with the pun intended); is Professor Opoku-Agyemang eligible to become president? The more relevant question is, what else does she need to demonstrate to establish her qualifications?
She has traversed Ghana's education system as both an academic and a religious leader. Throughout her time in office, she was responsible for eliminating temporary "schools under trees," building modern institutions, and providing free textbooks and school uniforms. She has guided one of Africa's largest universities as its chancellor. She has run for national office twice, deeply understanding the sentiments of Ghanaians. She personally stated that "my role was to open the door, and it doesn't stop there. In fact, that is where the real work starts."
Compare this to the qualifications of men who have held or run for the presidency. Some had experience in ministry; others came from a business background; a few relied solely on their name recognition and party support. None were required to explain their aspirations as thoroughly as women are.
Political commentators often question if nations are "prepared" to have female leaders, as though women's leadership is a rare delicacy that needs to be gradually presented to an unfamiliar taste. This inquiry is condescending. A 2022 study revealed that 67 percent of Ghanaians back equal political representation for women. The public is prepared. The real issue is whether the systems will permit it.
Ghana enacted the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Act in July 2024, requiring a minimum of 30 percent female participation in public decision-making groups by 2026, with a target of 50 percent by 2030. While this seems groundbreaking on paper, in reality, the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection is among the least supported ministries, and the law does not include strong measures for enforcing parliamentary representation.
Laws that lack enforcement are just recommendations. And recommendations cannot dismantle long-standing systems of male dominance.
This is what a Professor Opoku-Agyemang presidency might symbolize: not flawlessness, but potential. Not the conclusion of Ghana's issues, but evidence that leadership isn't restricted to those with a Y chromosome. Not a promise of forward-thinking policies, but an increase in the diversity of those influencing them. Would she be an ideal president? No leader ever is. Would she encounter extreme examination, have her every choice analyzed through a gendered perspective, and bear the burden of representing all women? Definitely. But that's exactly why it's significant.
Michelle Obama emphasized that "no nation can ever genuinely thrive if it suppresses the potential of its women and denies itself the input of half its population." Ghana has succeeded even while keeping women out of its top positions. Picture what it might accomplish by involving them.
The year 2028 is three years ahead. That’s three years for Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to showcase her plans for Ghana. Three years for political groups to determine if they are genuinely committed to the Affirmative Action Act or if it's just symbolic law. Three years for Ghanaians to reflect on their own prejudices regarding who "appears" presidential. Three years for a young girl to envision herself as president. And three years for that vision to turn into a real possibility.
The issue is not whether Ghana requires a female president. The real question is whether Ghana can afford to continue excluding half of its leadership potential. For those who are aware, the answer is clearly evident. Therefore, yes, a girl can have dreams. Perhaps in 2028, Ghana will share in her dream.
>>>The writer works in PR, Marketing & Communications and serves as General Secretary of the Network of Women in Broadcasting (NOWIB). A committed feminist and supporter of women in media, she promotes workplace excellence while encouraging voices and fostering connections throughout the industry. Bridget is enthusiastic about highlighting women's stories and promoting positive transformation in Ghana's media landscape. She can be contacted throughmbridget634@gmail.com
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