Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Biography
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is a highly respected Ghanaian scholar and politician. She served as Ghana’s Minister for Education between February 2013 and January 2017. A professor of literature by profession, she became the first woman to serve as Vice-Chancellor of a public university in Ghana when she assumed leadership of the University of Cape Coast. At present, she is the Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa. She is celebrated for her impactful work as both an academic and a public servant. She was also nominated as the vice-presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2020 elections, and later again for the 2024 polls.
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Parents
Her parents are Kwabena Opoku-Agyemang and Dr. Maame Adwoa Opoku-Agyemang.
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Early Life and Education
Born on November 22, 1951, in Cape Coast, Ghana, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang began her basic education at Anglican Girls’ Secondary School. She later attended Wesley Girls’ High School (1964–1971), where she served as School Prefect during her final year. She pursued higher education at the University of Cape Coast, earning a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in English and French. In 1976, she obtained a Diplôme Supérieure d’Etudes Françaises from the University of Dakar in Senegal. Continuing her studies abroad, she attended York University in Toronto, Canada, where she completed both a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in English literature.
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Personal Life
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is married and the mother of three children, all of whom hold PhDs. She is admired for her humility and dedication to service.
Kweku Opoku-Agyemang earned a PhD in Economics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Kwabena Opoku-Agyemang received a PhD in English Literature from West Virginia University.
Adwoa Opoku-Agyemang holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Toronto.
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Career
Academic Career
Her professional journey began at the University of Cape Coast in 1986, where she taught and later served in multiple leadership roles such as Head of the English Department, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research. In 2008, she broke new ground by becoming the first female Vice-Chancellor of a Ghanaian public university, a position she held until 2012. During her leadership, she advanced both academic programs and infrastructure at the institution.
Political Career
Her entry into politics came when she was appointed Minister for Education under President John Dramani Mahama, serving from 2013 to 2017. In this role, she spearheaded key reforms to improve access to quality education in Ghana. In 2020, she was selected as the running mate to former President John Mahama, making history as the first woman nominated by a major political party in Ghana as a vice-presidential candidate, a significant milestone for gender equality in national politics.
Publications
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has produced numerous scholarly works on literature, education, and African culture. Some of her notable contributions include:
Images of Women in African Literature – an exploration of how women are represented in African storytelling.
The Dilemma of the Ghost: A Study of Ama Ata Aidoo’s Drama – an analysis of cultural conflict and identity in Aidoo’s play.
African Women Writing Resistance: An Anthology of Contemporary Voices – where she contributed to discussions on women’s resistance and social change in African literature.
A Handbook for Writers of Dissertations and Theses – a guidebook tailored for students in the humanities and social sciences.
The Dynamics of Gender in African Oral Narratives – a study of gender roles in African oral traditions.
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Siblings
There is currently no publicly available information about her siblings.
Other Positions Held
Beyond academia and politics, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang served as Academic Director for the School for International Training’s African Diaspora program for over a decade. In 2007, she was one of five distinguished scholars invited to address the United Nations in New York on the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery. She represented Ghana on UNESCO’s Executive Board beginning in 2009 and was later re-elected for a second term. Additionally, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang served as President of the Forum for African Women Educationalists and held roles on various educational councils and committees in Ghana.
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Husband
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is married to Dr. Kweku Opoku-Agyemang, and their marriage has spanned several decades.
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Awards and Recognition
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has received both national and international honors for her service in education and leadership. She has been awarded honorary degrees from the University of the West Indies and Winston-Salem University, and received a Global Leadership Award from the University of South Florida. In Ghana, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang was decorated as an Officer of the Order of the Volta for Academic Distinction and also won the Ghana Women of Excellence Award in the Education category. The School for International Training in Vermont, USA, recognized her twice for her outstanding contribution to international education.
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Net Worth
Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang estimated net worth is around $5 million, accumulated from her distinguished academic and political career.