Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang highlights women’s leadership and economic empowerment
Story by: Regina Bless
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has highlighted the significant contributions of African women to leadership, business and community development, calling for stronger systems to ensure they receive equal opportunities and recognition.
She made the remarks at the Women’s Leadership Breakfast hosted by Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom in Nigeria. The event was also attended by former President of Malawi, Dr. Joyce Banda, and former President of Mauritius, Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.
Speaking about women’s leadership, Professor Opoku-Agyemang drew on her longstanding interactions with women in Ghana’s markets, noting that their daily activities demonstrate leadership, business acumen and effective resource management.
According to her, many of these women may not necessarily identify themselves as leaders, but they play important roles in sustaining families, supporting communities and contributing to national economies.
She stressed that recognising these contributions is essential to creating a society where women can participate fully in decision-making and benefit fairly from economic opportunities.
The Vice President also outlined some of Ghana’s efforts to address barriers to women’s participation and access to opportunities. These include the Social Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1148), the Social Protection Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2521), and the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Regulations, 2026 (L.I. 2522).
She, however, emphasised that the effectiveness of these legal and regulatory frameworks would depend on their implementation.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang further highlighted the proposed Women’s Development Bank as an initiative intended to address financial challenges confronting women, particularly those seeking to expand businesses and other economic activities they have already established.
She expressed hope that discussions at the gathering would translate into practical partnerships and initiatives to support women whose skills, ambitions and potential remain constrained by limited access to opportunities.
The Vice President reiterated the importance of building inclusive systems that recognise women’s contributions and enable them to participate meaningfully in economic and social development across Africa.