Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang

Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Official account of H.E. Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President, Republic of Ghana

17/09/2026

With the right investment, research and financing, Ghana’s shea belt can become a stronger centre for processing, innovation and commerce, ensuring more of the value generated by this remarkable resource remains in the communities where it begins.

I joined His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, at the Presidency to receive a delegation from the Ahafo Regiona...
17/09/2026

I joined His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, at the Presidency to receive a delegation from the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, led by its president, Nana Barima Twereku Ampem III, Omanhene of the Ntotroso Traditional Area.

The delegation, accompanied by the Ahafo Regional Minister, Hon. Charity Gardiner, was welcomed by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Mahama Ayariga.

President Mahama shared progress made by Government and outlined the work ahead, including efforts to accelerate infrastructure development through the Big Push programme. The delegation acknowledged Government's interventions and its relationship with Nananom and local authorities.

We thanked the chiefs for their continued partnership and confidence in us, and specifically acknowledged the Queen Mothers for the important role they play in their communities.

I thank Nananom for their thoughtful gifts. We look forward to strengthening our partnership for the benefit of the people of Ahafo and Ghana.

At the World Shea Expo in Tamale, I spoke about the opportunity to build a shea industry that delivers greater value to ...
16/09/2026

At the World Shea Expo in Tamale, I spoke about the opportunity to build a shea industry that delivers greater value to the communities that have sustained shea for generations.

Shea is often described as “women’s gold.” If that description is to be truly meaningful, the women at the heart of the industry must receive a fairer share of the value it creates. They need better access to finance, technology and markets, and greater opportunities to build and own businesses across the value chain.

The Women’s Development Bank can help address one part of that equation by expanding women’s access to finance. Many women are not asking for extraordinary sums; they need accessible, appropriate financing that lets them grow the businesses they already understand and sustain.

We must also keep looking to the future. At the demonstration farm in the Futa Community, I took part in the symbolic planting of specially selected shea seedlings. This highlighted how research into new varieties can open new possibilities for a resource that has traditionally regenerated naturally across the shea belt. Stronger links among our universities and research institutions, farmers and industry can help us improve productivity, develop new products and create opportunities for young people.

With the right investment, research and financing, Ghana’s shea belt can become a stronger centre for processing, innovation and commerce, ensuring more of the value generated by this remarkable resource remains in the communities where it begins.

I was in Tamale today for the World Shea Expo 2026, where I joined the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. John Ali Adolf N...
15/09/2026

I was in Tamale today for the World Shea Expo 2026, where I joined the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. John Ali Adolf Nburidiba; Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP for Tamale South and Minister for Education; Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of the Presidential Initiative on Agriculture and Agribusiness; the Kenyan Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Colonel (Rtd.) Shem Ishahilidza; traditional leaders; and other stakeholders.

Ahead of the Expo, I visited Nuts for Growth Limited, a woman-led enterprise working with thousands of women across the shea value chain. I toured its laboratories and processing facilities and saw the range of products that can be developed from shea.

This is precisely the kind of transformation we need. We cannot continue exporting our raw materials and importing finished products. We must bring more of the value home by processing more of what we produce, developing new products, strengthening Ghanaian businesses, and ensuring that more of the jobs and wealth created along the value chain remain in our communities.

Today, I joined government officials, UN representatives, traditional leaders and health professionals to launch the Pre...
14/09/2026

Today, I joined government officials, UN representatives, traditional leaders and health professionals to launch the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response (PRIMER) on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.

Developed under the leadership of the Senior Presidential Advisor on the SDGs and in collaboration with UNFPA and the National Development Planning Commission, PRIMER brings together Government, development partners and other stakeholders for a five-year effort to strengthen Ghana’s response to maternal health emergencies.

Ghana has made significant progress in expanding access to maternal healthcare. More women are receiving antenatal care, delivering in health facilities and being attended by skilled professionals. Yet too many mothers continue to die from preventable causes.

Access must therefore be matched by quality and readiness: skilled professionals who can respond when an emergency occurs, medicines and blood when needed, reliable transport, effective communication, and functioning referral systems.

The response also extends beyond the health sector. A woman’s chances of surviving an emergency can depend on the condition of the road to the nearest facility, the transport available to her, how quickly facilities communicate and refer patients, and whether communities know when and where to seek help.

PRIMER seeks to bring these different parts of the response together, with clearer accountability for results. The goal is straightforward: fewer women dying from preventable causes during pregnancy and childbirth, and more mothers returning home safely with their babies.

I thank the health professionals across Ghana who work tirelessly every day towards that goal.

14/09/2026

I commend the Ghana Navy for its dedicated service during its tour of duty, and I wish the Ghana Air Force well as it assumes this important responsibility.

Today, I reviewed the Changing of the Guard at the Presidency, where the Ghana Navy formally handed over guard duties to...
14/09/2026

Today, I reviewed the Changing of the Guard at the Presidency, where the Ghana Navy formally handed over guard duties to the Ghana Air Force.

The ceremony was marked by an impressive display of precision, discipline, and formation coordination, reflecting the professionalism and high standards of the Ghana Armed Forces.

I commend the Ghana Navy for its dedicated service during its tour of duty, and I wish the Ghana Air Force well as it assumes this important responsibility.

I officially opened the 14th Ghana Garden and Flower Show, which is being held at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park un...
12/09/2026

I officially opened the 14th Ghana Garden and Flower Show, which is being held at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park under the theme “Green Means Business, Beauty and More”.

Beyond the beauty of gardens and flowers lies an economy of growers, skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and businesses. Helping that economy grow means connecting skills and production to finance, standards, markets, and exports, and making better use of existing government programmes to support enterprises across the horticultural sector.

Recent flooding has reminded us that the quality of our environment cannot be separated from how we develop our towns and cities. Green spaces should be integral to how we plan and build, alongside improved sanitation, responsible development and greater care for our surroundings.

Initiatives from the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat, our Ministries, the Department of Parks and Gardens and our local authorities are intended to make greening a more deliberate part of development while supporting the businesses and livelihoods that can grow around it.

I congratulate Stratcomm Africa, the exhibitors, the partners, and everyone whose work has sustained the Ghana Garden and Flower Show over the years.

12/09/2026

I congratulate Stratcomm Africa, the exhibitors, the partners, and everyone whose work has sustained the Ghana Garden and Flower Show over the years.

I received a delegation from the Mastercard Foundation, led by its Country Director, Mr Paul Kasanga. I recognised the F...
11/09/2026

I received a delegation from the Mastercard Foundation, led by its Country Director, Mr Paul Kasanga. I recognised the Foundation for its investments in Ghana over the years. Having experienced some of its support during my earlier work with the Forum for African Women Educationalists, I have seen what responsive development partnerships can achieve.

We also spoke about what happens after training. Skills must lead to productive opportunities and respond to the needs of the economy.

I reflected on our experience with distance education at the University of Cape Coast. We should be able to apply similar thinking to skills development by bringing trainers, apprenticeships and practical programmes closer to where people live, rather than expecting young people to migrate to our major cities in search of opportunity.

This also means recognising that different communities need different skills. In our agricultural areas, for example, training should align with opportunities in production, processing, machinery, storage and packaging. Linking skills to each locality’s economic potential can create opportunities closer to home and support local economies.

I commended the Mastercard Foundation for its investments in our tertiary institutions, while emphasising the need to reach the many young Ghanaians who may never attend university. They too should have access to quality training, apprenticeships, financing and credible pathways to dignified work.

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