National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama apparently dumped former Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr Kwabena Duffour to settle on former Minister for Education, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, as his running mate for the 2020 presidential election.
Information gathered by THE CUSTODIAN indicated that the former Minister for Finance under the Mills administration was given assurance by the NDC flagbearer just few days ago that he will be the running mate in the upcoming general election only to be jettisoned at the last hour.
The paper has also gleaned that Dr Duffour, who has supported former President Mahama with huge cash, is now an angry man because he has ostensibly been ‘fooled.’
Dr Duffour, a consummate economist and a banker from Kumawu in the Ashanti Region, was highly regarded as the man to garner votes for NDC in the region with strong backing from powerful chiefs and party gurus.
It is not immediately clear how the chiefs and the Ashanti NDC has received the latest twist as the party often struggled to increase votes in the Ashanti region.
Naana’s endorsement
A communication from the NDC indicated that the National Executive Committee of the party on Monday July 6, 2020 unanimously endorsed Prof Jane Naana as the party’s Vice Presidential nominee.
Former President Mahama lauded Professor Naana as God-fearing, distinguished scholar, a conscientious public servant and a role model.
Acceptance letter
In her acceptance letter, the former Education Minister noted that the historic nomination is not a personal achievement but victory for inclusive and participatory democracy, which enhances the credentials of the country and recognizes the towering role women have played over the ages to achieve the progress that has been made.
Professor Naana indicated that having worked with Mr. John Dramani Mahama closely, she knows him “as a man of vision, a trusted leader, a public servant of integrity and a courageous leader who makes the right decisions in the national interest at all times.
“I pledge to diligently apply myself and dedicate all the energy and intellect I can muster to ensure a resounding victory for the NDC and for our country, Ghana. So help me God.”
About Prof Naana
Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang was born on 22 November 1951 in Cape Coast.
She attended Anglican Girls’ Secondary School at Koforidua and Aburi Presby Girls’ School. She then had her secondary education at the Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast from 1964 to 1971.
She completed B.Ed.(Hons) in English and French at the University of Cape Coast in 1977 and obtained her Masters and Doctorate degrees from York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1980 and 1986 respectively.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang taught and worked at the University of Cape Coast, starting in 1986.
She has held various academic positions including Head of the Department of English, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Warden of Adehye Hall, Valco Trust Fund Post-Graduate Hostel, and Dean of School of Graduate Studies and Research.
From 1997, she held the position of Academic Director of the School for International Training in the History and Cultures of the African Diaspora.
From 2008-2012 she was the University’s Vice Chancellor, the first female Vice Chancellor of a public university in Ghana.
In March, 2007, she was one of five scholars selected to deliver presentations during the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
In October 2009, she was elected Ghana’s representative to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Ahead of the 2012 general elections, Jane Opoku Agyemang moderated the debate with the current Minister for Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
Between February 2013 and January 2017 she served as the Education Minister of Ghana.
On 26 October 2018, she became the Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa located in Zimbabwe.
She has served on many local and international boards and committees such as the Centre for Democratic Governance, (CDD-Ghana), the Editorial Board of The Harriet Tubman Series on the African Diaspora (Africa World Press Inc. USA), the Africa Initiative in Canada, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons as Eminent Citizen.
