Ucc Honours Vice President

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has conferred a Distinguished Fellow Award on her Excellency, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang at its Special 18th Congregation.

The prestigious award was in recognition of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang's distinguished service to the University as an illustrious alumna and Fellow, as well as her commitment to Society, Women, and Children, Academia, Governance, Democracy, Leadership, National and Global Development.

The event was attended by the Central Regional Minister, Hon. Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, Oguaa Omanhen, Osabarimba Atta II, President of Central Regional House of Chiefs, Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, Omanhen of Komenda, Okatakyi Komeh VIII and  MP Cape Coast North, Hon. Dr. Kwamina Minta-Nyarku.

Others were former Chairman of  UCC Governing Council, Nana Sam Brew Butler; former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. D. D. Kuupole, former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, former Pro Vice-Chancellor, UCC and currently Technical Advisor to the Minister of Education, Prof. George K. T. Oduro, former Registrar, Dr. Isaac Ohene and former Registrar, Mr. Jeff Onyame.

The University in a citation presented to her at the New Examination Center,  acknowledged Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s historic achievement as the first female Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, noting that her election marks a transformational moment in the country’s democratic evolution and gender representation.

The citation, which was read by the immediate past Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, also praised Prof. Opoku-Agyemang for making   history as the first woman to serve as Vice-Chancellor of a public university in Ghana, leading the institution from 2008 to 2012.

She was credited with strengthening academic standards and expanding the university’s reputation as one of the country’s leading centres for higher education.

Part of the citation read that 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.

In her Response, the Vice President thanked the University for the honour done her and described UCC as a place that shaped both her academic and professional life.

“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.

“This campus was the backdrop of my life as a student, a national service person, a lecturer with different appointments and responsibilities, a professor and a Vice-Chancellor,” she said.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that since its establishment by Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, UCC had remained a symbol of Ghana’s commitment to education and national development.

She said higher education remained a privilege and those who benefited from it must always reflect on how their knowledge could contribute to society.

She pointed out that the university’s location within surrounding communities was a reminder that academic work must respond to the needs of society.

“Our education tasks us to go beyond theoretical knowledge and make tangible improvements in our nation,” she said.

The Vice-President also urged professionals and scholars to serve as mentors and role models to younger generations.

She said individuals who benefited from education must guide and support others so that the next generation could achieve even greater progress.

“We are invited, regardless of our professions or backgrounds, to be somebody else’s teacher, to guide, advise and uplift others,” she stated.

The Chancellor of the University, Sir Sam Jonah, praised Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang for her rare example of integrity in Ghanaian public life and as a leader whose record was unblemished and free of scandal.

“Not a single scandal. Not a whisper of controversy. In a world where power so often corrodes, and where public trust so often frays, she has navigated the full complexity of leadership with her honour completely intact,” he said.

Sir Sam Jonah said the Vice President exemplifies true patriotism — defined as placing the welfare of the country above personal convenience, gain, or comfort.

According to him, the importance of principled leadership in a time when citizens’ trust in public institutions was tested.

“Her example shines as a beacon. She reminds us that principled leadership is not a relic of a nobler age. It is possible. It is practised. It is present among us today,” he said.

He concluded by noting that a person of achievement may inspire admiration, but a person of integrity inspires trust — a combination he said makes the award “not only fitting, but necessary.”

The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto, in his remarks, also commended the honouree for her contribution to the growth of UCC.

Prof. Aheto noted that during her tenure as Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang championed academic excellence and strengthened UCC’s global reputation through strategic partnerships with universities around the world.

He said her leadership led to several key developments, including the establishment of the Oil and Gas Institute, the Faculty of Law, the Amissah Arthur Language Centre and a crèche at the pre-school.

Other projects completed during her tenure included the expansion of the University Printing Press, the Faculty of Education Lecture Theatre Complex, and the Diagnostic Centre at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital.

Prof. Aheto said the university was currently facing challenges with student accommodation, as existing residential facilities were no longer able to meet the needs of the growing student population.

He therefore called on alumni, development partners and private investors to support the construction of additional student housing facilities.

He added that the university was ready to explore innovative financing models and partnerships in line with the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure agenda.