The 2024 general elections in Ghana, held on December 7, resulted in a historic victory for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with former President John Mahama reclaiming the presidency. This election is particularly notable not only for the political shift but also for the groundbreaking achievement of electing Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the first female Vice President of Ghana. Her election marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards gender equality in political representation.
John Mahama won the presidency with 56.55% of the votes, defeating Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who got 41.61% of the total votes. This outcome signals a desire for change, particularly in response to what many perceived as economic challenges and governance issues faced under the current NPP administration.
Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang’s election as Vice President is a landmark event in Ghana’s political history. She previously served as Ghana’s Minister of Education and was the first female Vice-Chancellor of a public university, the University of Cape Coast. Her leadership has been recognized for promoting educational reforms and gender equity within academia. In her acceptance speech, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasized the importance of inclusivity and collaboration in governance, stating, “My job was to open the door… I will hold the door open.” This sentiment resonates with many Ghanaians who view her victory as an opportunity to inspire future generations of women leaders.
Despite this historic achievement, gender representation in Ghanaian politics remains a pressing concern. Prior to these elections, women held less than 15% of parliamentary seats, and only 120 women contested for parliamentary positions out of over 800 candidates. The Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, passed before the elections, aims to ensure that at least 30% of parliamentary seats are held by women by 2030. However, effective implementation and monitoring will be crucial to achieving these goals.
