My running mate is a 'God-fearing, distinguished scholar, conscientious public servant' - Mahama

The flag bearer of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Dramani Mahama, has described his running mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, as a “God-fearing”, “distinguished scholar”, “a conscientious public servant” and “a role model.”

The National Executive Committee of the NDC, unanimously endorsed Mr Mahama’s nomination of Professor Opoku-Agyemang as his running mate for the December 2020 election on Monday, 6 July 2020.

Mr Mahama later said on Facebook that Professor Opoku-Agyemang, who happened to be his Minister of Education during his presidency, is “God-fearing”, “a distinguished scholar”, “a conscientious public servant” and “a role model.

She is the first woman chosen by the NDC as a running mate.

About Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang

Born on 22 November 1951 in Cape Coast, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang attended Anglican Girls' Secondary School at Koforidua and Aburi Presby Girls’ School.

She then had her secondary education at the Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast from 1964 to 1971. She completed B.Ed. (Hons) in English and French at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in 1977 and obtained her Masters and Doctorate degrees from York University in Toronto, Canada in 1980 and 1986.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang taught and worked at UCC starting in 1986.

She has held various academic positions including Head of the Department of English, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Warden of Adehye Hall, Valco Trust Fund Post-Graduate Hostel, and Dean of School of Graduate Studies and Research.

From 1997, she held the position of Academic Director of the School for International Training in the History and Cultures of the African Diaspora. From 2008-2012 she was the University's Vice-Chancellor.

In March 2007, she was one of five scholars selected to deliver presentations during the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

In October 2009, she was elected Ghana's representative to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Ahead of the 2012 general elections, Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang moderated the debate with now information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.

Between February 2013 and January 2017, she served as the Education Minister of Ghana.

On 26 October 2018, she became the Chancellor of the Women's University in Africa located in Zimbabwe.

She has served on many local and international boards and committees such as the Centre for Democratic Governance, (CDD-Ghana), the Editorial Board of The Harriet Tubman Series on the African Diaspora (Africa World Press Inc. USA), the Africa Initiative in Canada, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons as Eminent Citizen.