The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has announced plans to confer its prestigious Distinguished Fellow Award on Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang in recognition of her outstanding contribution to education, leadership and national development.
In a press release issued on Friday, February 27, 2026, the university said the award is “in recognition of Her Excellency’s distinguished services to the University of Cape Coast as an illustrious alumna and Fellow, as well as her commitment to Society, Women and Children, Academia, Governance, Democracy, Leadership, National and Global Development.”
UCC further acknowledged her historic role in Ghana’s political landscape, describing her as “the first female Vice President of the Republic of Ghana,” a milestone it said marked “a transformational moment in the country’s democratic and gender representation history.”
The university also highlighted her contributions to education during her tenure as Minister for Education between 2013 and 2017.
According to the school, she focused on “strengthening basic and secondary education systems; teacher development initiative; expanding access to quality education; and advocating equity for girls and marginalised communities.”
Beyond Ghana, the UCC noted her impact on women’s education across Africa, citing her service as Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa in Zimbabwe from 2018 to 2024, where she “demonstrated sustained commitment to advancing women’s access to higher education across the African continent.”
As an alumna of UCC, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also made history as Vice-Chancellor from 2008 to 2012, becoming “the first female Vice-Chancellor of a public university in Ghana.”
The award ceremony is scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2026, at the New Examination Centre on the UCC campus, and will commence at 2:00pm.
“The University of Cape Coast congratulates Her Excellency Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on this distinguished award,” the statement noted.
