UCC confers Distinguished Fellow award on Prof. Opoku-Agyemang

The University of Cape Coast has conferred its Distinguished Fellow Award on Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang in recognition of her outstanding service to the university and her significant contributions to national governance and education.

The honour celebrates Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s longstanding relationship with the university as both an alumna and former academic leader whose work has shaped the institution and influenced Ghana’s education sector.Ghanaian news subscription

Delivering her acceptance speech, she acknowledged the profound impact the institution has had on her personal and professional development.

“There is something special about recognition that comes from home. This is where my higher education journey began and where my professional life took shape. It is one of the places where I learned that knowledge carries responsibility beyond oneself,” he said.

At the same ceremony, the Chancellor of UCC, Sam Jonah, paid tribute to Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, recalling his experience working with her during her tenure as Vice-Chancellor.

“I speak today not only as Chancellor, but as one who had the distinct honour of working alongside her during her tenure as Vice-Chancellor of this University,” Sir Sam Jonah said. “And I can tell you with the full authority of personal experience: what you will hear about Professor Opoku-Agyemang today is not ceremony, it is truth,” he added.

Her service to national governance was also highlighted during the ceremony, particularly her tenure as Ghana’s Minister for Education from 2013 to 2017. During that period, she championed initiatives aimed at strengthening basic and secondary education, improving teacher development, and expanding access to education in underserved communities.

Beyond Ghana, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang has also contributed to advancing higher education across Africa. She served as Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 2018 to 2024, where she promoted greater opportunities for women to pursue tertiary education.Defence policy review

According to UCC, the Distinguished Fellow Award reflects both her exceptional service to the university and her broader impact on governance, education reform, and women’s empowerment across Ghana and the African continent.