Women empowerment imperative for national development – Veep

…as 10th Ghana Women of Excellence Awards honour trailblasers

By Juliet ETEFE ([email protected])

Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has underscored the critical role of women to national development, emphasising that empowering them across all sectors is a national imperative.

The first female Vice President stressed that the country’s progress is directly linked to the inclusion and advancement of women, who are a major section of the population; and called for increased efforts to break barriers, create opportunities and ensure their full participation in every sector of the economy.

She highlighted the ongoing challenges that women continue to face, including barriers to education, economic empowerment and leadership positions.

As such, she emphasised the need for deliberate action to address these disparities, ensuring that every woman—regardless of her background—has access to opportunities that enable her to contribute meaningfully to national development.

“We must break these barriers, shatter ceilings and redefine excellence. Empowerment is not just about education; it is about creating a system that uplifts all women. It is about ensuring that no woman is left behind in our national development agenda.

“We are reminded that the progress of our nation relies heavily on empowering women. It is not loss on any of us what benefits there are when we encourage women to go to school, to gain employment and to contribute fully to society. It benefits them, it benefits their communities and ultimately, it benefits the nation,” she stated.

She was quick to add that while gender empowerment does not diminish the contributions of men, it is necessary to focus on women’s advancement given the barriers to ensure true national development.

She called on policy-makers, private sector leaders and civil society organisations to invest in women-led initiatives and advocate for policies that promote gender equality.

“It is not enough for women to break barriers; we must keep the doors open for those who will follow. We must mentor, support and create pathways for young girls and women to step into leadership roles, to innovate and to thrive in spaces that were once closed to them,” she added.

10th Ghana Women of Excellence Awards

Professor Opoku-Agyemang was speaking as the special guest at the 10th edition of the Ghana Women of Excellence Awards, 2025 held in Accra to recognise the contributions of exceptional Ghanaian women in their sectors of operation.

Organised by Top Brass Ghana on the theme ‘Empowering the Ghanaian Women for National Development’, the event was also to mark the International Women’s Day.

She recalled that she was among the first recipients when the awards were launched a decade ago, noting that the event serves as a reminder of the strides women have made and the work that remains in ensuring full gender parity in all sectors of the economy.

Awardees

The 22 award-winners included Becky Enyonam Ahadzi, Esq.; Mrs. Winniefred Akoto-Sampong; Rev. (Mrs.) Angela Carmen Appiah; Emerita Prof. Elizabeth Ardayfio-Schandorf; Nana Krobea Asante; Dr. Bernice Makafui Brempong; Mrs. Emelia Boatemah Osei Derkyi; GRA Royal Ladies; Mrs. Florence Mangwe Hutchful; Mrs. Esther Dokuwaa Ofosuhene; Mrs. Joana Adzoa Opare; Mrs. Comfort Owusu; Ms. Yaa Owusu-Baafi; Emerita Prof. Isabella Akyinbah Quakyi; Ms. Gloria Darline Quartey; Ms. Theresa Randolph; Dr. Angela Ankomaah Tabiri; Ms. Penelope Brooke Thompson; Ing. (Mrs.) Sophia Abena Tijani; Mrs. Linda K. Vasnani; Mrs. Ewurabena Yanyi Akofur; and Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu.

The individuals were recognised for their contribution to community development, tertiary education and scientific research, international trade promotion and facilitation, socio-economic development, energy production and distribution, business development, rural banking, national cohesion, human resource management, gender empowerment and so on.

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