Will Ghana’s first female vice president be a promise of progress or a seat on the sidelines?

Dear President-elect Mahama,

It’s me again; the young Ghanaian who represents the many voices which are disenchanted with the theatrical charade that has become synonymous with our democracy, won with the blood and toil of our forerunners but dirty-washed by the corruption and selfishness of the current generation, and looking up to you for just tiny glimmer of hope to believe again that democracy works.

First, Happy new year. I wish you and yours a happy-blissful 2025. May all your positive and selfless wishes for this country come to fruition.

In three days, Mr. President-Elect, you will assume office. Let me be the first to say, “Congratulations” to you. I have seen official results from the Electoral Commission placing your win at 57.7% of the total votes cast. Ghanaians really went all out for you on December 7th 2024. So, congrats, Mr. President.

Let me also be the first to remind you that you are the first President with a female vice president. It is an achievement celebrated the world over and you will go down in history as the one who actually did what should’ve been done years ago.

Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang’s selection as your running mate was a historic moment for Ghana. As has been widely reported, it was the first time a major political party chose a female vice-presidential candidate. This decision was lauded by many, including women’s groups and activists, as a significant step toward gender equality and equity in our nation’s political landscape.

In your speech during her introduction, you described her as “God-fearing, a distinguished scholar, a conscientious public servant and a role model.” You emphasized that her selection was “over and above affirmative action” because she is “more than qualified to serve as Vice President.”

Professor Opoku-Agyemang herself expressed a deep commitment to the role, stating, “I shall give this noble task everything in me.”

And she did show some of that “everything” during the campaign season. Her campaign was characterized by dignity and a focus on policy issues, resonating with many Ghanaians. Her emphasis on education, health, and gender matters, as well as her advocacy for quality education and an end to gender-based violence, played a crucial role in mobilising support, particularly among women and youth.

In a political landscape often defined by entrenched norms and predictable hierarchies, the NDC broke the mould in 2020 by selecting Prof. Opoku-Agyemang as your running mate. Four years later, her historic ascent as Ghana’s first female Vice President-elect is not merely a symbolic victory but a resounding statement about the evolving face of leadership in the country.

I am convinced that selecting Prof. Opoku-Agyemang as a running mate was not merely a nod to progressivism; it was a strategic decision aimed at energising a broad coalition of voters. The NDC’s choice tapped into the growing demand for greater female representation in leadership and reflected a bold acknowledgement that the future of Ghanaian politics must be inclusive.

I dare say, she is the woman who made the difference.

In any election, the running mate serves as more than just a placeholder or supporting cast member. They are an extension of the presidential candidate’s vision, values, and appeal. In this context, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang excelled. Her calm demeanour, intellectual rigour, and eloquence resonated with a wide array of voters, particularly women and young people who saw her candidacy as a personal validation of their own aspirations.

The campaign trail revealed her as a figure of quiet strengthand witty-clapbacks. While you, Mr. President-elect, focused on macroeconomic issues and the party’s overarching vision, Professor Opoku-Agyemang became the trusted voice addressing community-based concerns. She met with market women, student groups, and grassroots organizations, often sidestepping political platitudes to engage in meaningful dialogue.

She wasn’t merely a token figurehead for gender progress; she was a conduit through which the NDC humanised your promises. Her discussions on education reform and gender equity weren’t abstract policy points—they were grounded in her own professional journey and the lived experiences of those she met. Her ability to connect emotionally while offering practical solutions made her an invaluable asset to the campaign.

I remember her words at her outdooring as a VP candidate. She said, “My nomination has many, many implications… It means all of us are on board. The victory is for all of us, but especially for our daughters, for our youth, for our women… I know this is a big responsibility… My job was to open the door, and it doesn’t end there. Actually, that is where the work begins.”

Moreover, her selection emboldened a new wave of young female activists and volunteers to join the campaign. From organizing voter outreach programs to mobilizing communities, these women became the backbone of the NDC’s grassroots strategy. It’s no exaggeration to say that the excitement around Professor Opoku-Agyemang galvanised a level of activism that significantly expanded the party’s voter base.

Even people like singer, Jane Awindor, known as Efya Nokturnal, who had not spoken in previous elections, spoke to Forbes about Prof. She said, her candidacy “reflects the growing recognition of women’s capabilities and contributions to governance, inspiring hope that Ghana is indeed moving closer to producing its first female president. I believe this development will encourage more women to participate in politics and strive for the highest levels of leadership, ultimately enriching our democracy and driving national progress.”

According to the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, Ghana jumped 12 spots to 88th out of 146 countries. Shifting public attitudes are supporting this trend; according to a 2022 Afrobarometer survey, 67% of Ghanaians favour women’s equal political participation. And though neither of these reports attribute the nation’s improvements to Prof., her nomination and exploits since then cannot be sidestepped in the discussion.

One could argue that if campaigns were culinary endeavours, you, Mr. President-elect, brought the hearty main course of experience and gravitas, while Prof. Opoku-Agyemang added the spice and garnish that made the meal irresistible. Without her, the NDC’s message might have been solid but unremarkable. With her, it was a feast of hope, progress, and possibility.

Her presence on the ticket also disarmed critics who might otherwise have dismissed the NDC’s promises as more of the same. How could a party that dared to challenge decades of gender imbalance be accused of lacking vision? With Prof. in the picture, the you weren’t just talking about change—you embodied it.

Mr. President, you emphasised that Prof. would serve as a “co-driver” in your administration, rather than merely a subordinate. You elaborated that while you would oversee sectors such as Defence, Interior, and Finance, Prof. would be responsible for Education, Health, and Gender Protection, indicating a collaborative governance approach.

And yet, victory brings with it a paradox. In the euphoria of electoral success, key players often risk being overshadowed by the sheer momentum of the moment. The Prof’s relative absence from your recent public engagements raises my eyebrows and makes me wonder whether Ghana’s first female Vice President-elect might already be relegated to the background.

Make no mistake, Sir. I am well aware of the fact that you and your vice cannot be seen together all the time because you’d be engaged in different tasks. I get that. But this is not just a matter of optics. Visibility in politics is power. You know this better than I do, Sir. It reinforces legitimacy, bolsters public confidence, and ensures accountability. For a figure as historic as Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, sustained visibility is not optional—it is imperative.

I am one of the few who was hoping that you’d be the first president to walk through the entire transition interactions with your vice president. Sadly, that is not the case. Yet, I am one of the few who are hoping that being the first female vice president would not mean Prof would be relegated to the things of women and children.

If there is one thing that Nana Akuffo-Addo did well, it was how he gave his vice president, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, the freedom, resources and authority to flourish and redefine the role of the vice president in Ghana. Like him or hate him, Bawumia’s vice presidency has indeed become the standard to beat.

I know if given the space, Prof. will do even better and expand the office of vice president. But will she get the space? Will you, Mr. Mahama, and your male counterparts in government and party, give her the resources to own her space?

The 2024 election was a referendum on more than just economic recovery or governance style. It was a test of whether Ghanaian society is ready to embrace leadership that reflects its diverse demographics. The answer, as evidenced by the NDC’s victory, is a resounding yes.

But inclusivity doesn’t stop at the ballot box. It must be reflected in how leadership is exercised. Ensuring that Prof.Opoku-Agyemang is not only present but also prominent in the next administration is both a moral and strategic necessity. Her insights, particularly in education and gender policy, are critical to shaping a Ghana that works for everyone.

Prof’s role in your administration, Mr. Mahama, should set a new standard for what vice-presidential leadership looks like. She should not be confined to ceremonial duties or overshadowed by the weight of tradition. Instead, she must be empowered to lead in ways that reflect her unique strengths and the historic mandate she carries.

President-elect Mahama, the opportunity before you isimmense. Your choice of running mate has already altered the course of Ghanaian history. But history is not made in moments; it is sustained through action. Ensuring that Professor Opoku-Agyemang remains a central figure in your administration is not just about fulfilling campaign promises—it is about honouring the trust of those who saw their future in her.

Some of us are watching, wide-eyed. How you handle Prof will be one of the markers of your success as president.

All the best nest Tuesday at your second swearing-in, Mr. Mahama.

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About the Writer:

Thedore Abiwu [Efo] Korku Mawutor is the Vice President for the Institute of Liberty and Policy Innovation (ILAPI). He is a Multimedia Journalist and a fellow of the Journalists in Social Protection, (JISOP) Ghana.