The Platform for Elite Teachers has officially declared its support for Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the preferred flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, February 25, the group described Prof. Opoku-Agyemang as a transformational leader whose distinguished career embodies academic excellence, integrity, courage and an unwavering commitment to national development.
According to the Platform, the Vice President’s educational journey commenced at Wesley Girls’ High School before she pursued higher education both locally and internationally. She earned a Diplôme Supérieur d’Études Françaises from the University of Dakar, a Bachelor’s degree with a Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast, and subsequently obtained her Master’s and Doctoral degrees from York University in Canada.
Upon her return to Ghana, she rose steadily through the academic ranks at the University of Cape Coast, serving in various capacities including lecturer, Hall Warden, Head of Department, Dean, Founding Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research, and ultimately Vice-Chancellor.
Her appointment as Vice-Chancellor in 2008 marked a historic milestone, making her the first woman to head a public university in Ghana. During her tenure, the university experienced notable expansion in academic programmes, postgraduate education, research capacity and ICT infrastructure. Internet connectivity was significantly improved, while new academic programmes were introduced in critical fields such as agriculture, environmental science, public policy, oil and gas management and community development.
The teachers further highlighted her contributions to national development, including her support for the establishment of a National Fisheries College and her strong advocacy for technology-driven education to align learning outcomes with Ghana’s economic transformation agenda.
They noted that her achievements have earned her several honours, including the Officer of the Order of the Volta and the Ghana Women of Excellence Award. She is a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences and has served on international platforms such as UNESCO’s Executive Board and the Association of African Universities.
The Platform stated that her transition into national politics represented a continuation of her lifelong dedication to public service. As Minister for Education, she implemented policies aimed at expanding access, improving quality and promoting equity within the education sector. Currently serving as Vice President alongside President John Dramani Mahama, she has championed human capital development, youth empowerment, gender inclusion and governance reforms.
Drawing inspiration from Ghana’s history, the group likened her resilience and bold leadership to that of Yaa Asantewaa, describing her leadership style as both compassionate and service-oriented.
The Platform emphasised that Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s consultative and evidence-based leadership sets her apart as a unifier committed to institution-building and long-term national progress rather than short-term political expediency.
“As Ghana looks ahead to 2028, we need leadership that is intellectually grounded, socially responsive and capable of uniting the country,” the group stated.
The press conference was addressed by Musah De-Graft Coleman, General Secretary of the Platform for Elite Teachers, who called on members of the NDC and Ghanaians at large to rally behind Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the party’s flagbearer for the 2028 elections.
