Fact Check: Despite her achievements, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang was not the first female Minister of Education in Ghana

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is widely celebrated for her trailblazing contributions to education and politics in Ghana. However, a common misconception persists about her being the first female Minister of Education in the country.

This has become reshared now in light of her becoming the first female Vice President-Elect in Ghana. While her tenure as Minister of Education from 2013 to 2017 was impactful, the role had been held by other distinguished women before her.

This fact check clarifies the historical record and highlights the achievements of her predecessors, ensuring an accurate understanding of Ghana’s educational leadership history.

Claim:

Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang is often credited with being the first female Minister of Education in Ghana. This claim has been recently highlighted in profile articles by several online portals including Pulse Ghana, Graphic Online and others.

Verdict:

False. While Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has an impressive list of achievements, including serving as Ghana’s Minister of Education, she was not the first woman to hold this position. Both Ama Ata Aidoo and Betty Mould-Iddrisu served as Minister of Education before her tenure.

Context:

Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, a distinguished academic and politician, served as Ghana’s Minister of Education from 2013 to 2017 under the John Dramani Mahama administration. She implemented significant reforms, including the conversion of polytechnics into technical universities and the elevation of colleges of education to tertiary status. While her tenure was impactful, it was not the first time a woman had held the position.

Fact Check:

Ama Ata Aidoo:

• Renowned Ghanaian writer and academic Ama Ata Aidoo served as Secretary for Education under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) from 1982 to 1983.
• She is widely celebrated for her contributions to education and literature, making her one of the first women to hold a leadership role in Ghana’s education sector.

Betty Mould-Iddrisu:

• Betty Mould-Iddrisu, another prominent Ghanaian public figure, served as Minister of Education from 2011 to 2012.
• Her tenure focused on policy reforms aimed at improving the quality of education in Ghana.

Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang:

• Appointed in 2013, Professor Opoku-Agyemang succeeded Lee Ocran as Minister of Education.
• Her tenure was marked by landmark reforms, but she was not the first female minister in this portfolio.

Joyce Aryee:

• Joyce Rosalind Aryee served as Minister of Education from 1985 to 1987 under President Jerry John Rawlings’ PNDC government.
• Her tenure was marked by efforts to reform and improve Ghana’s educational system during a pivotal period in the nation’s history.

Conclusion:

The claim that Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang was the first female Minister of Education in Ghana is incorrect. Ama Ata Aidoo and Betty Mould-Iddrisu preceded her in this role.

The post Fact Check: Despite her achievements, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang was not the first female Minister of Education in Ghana first appeared on 3News.

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