Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called on Ghana to ensure that its long-standing commitment to education translates into real, measurable development outcomes for the country.
The appeal came as the University of Cape Coast (UCC) conferred its Distinguished Fellow Award on her, recognising her contributions to the university, advocacy for education, and trailblazing role as a woman in leadership on Friday, March 13
In her acceptance speech, she highlighted the country’s history of prioritising education, noting that the steady establishment of tertiary institutions since independence demonstrates Ghana’s recognition of its transformative power.
“Since this university was founded by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, it has served as a reminder that Ghana has always invested heavily in the education of its people. Higher education is a privilege, and we must ask whether the knowledge we acquire serves the society that made it possible,” she said.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stressed that education should go beyond theoretical knowledge and directly contribute to national development.
She urged stronger and more effective institutions to support Ghana’s long-term growth agenda, calling on all beneficiaries of education to play their part.
“Our education challenges us to make tangible improvements in our nation so that we can take pride in our identity and capabilities. This responsibility does not belong only to scholars—it belongs to every person who benefits from our institutions.
“We inherit systems, ideas, and institutions, and we must strengthen them while contributing something of ourselves to improve them,” she added.