PROF. JANE OPOKU AGYEMAN DIDN’T DO ANYTHING REMARKABLE WHEN SHE WAS EDUCATION MINISTER – NEOLYNE MENSAH WRITES

Neolyne Mensah 

Personally, as an educationist, I wouldn’t trust Professor Jane Naana OA, to be a formidable force in moving Ghana’s education further. She has had the chance to prove her leadership as then Education Minister and the records show she didn’t do anything remarkable and this has nothing to do with her being a woman. So if she’s being brought in to challenge the groundbreaking moves made by the current MoE administration (NPP), it’s a non-starter. Her record dismisses that assumed potential.


In NPPs tenure, over 1 million children have had access to free education, and I need not delve into the relevance of this.

As a gender advocate, I’d skew my focus to the fact that girls have been taken out of the streets, and putting girls in school reduces teenage pregnancy and gives girls a better chance of reaching their full potential.

Education is the backbone of society and as an educationist, I  subscribe to any policy that makes education a priority and gives equal chance to children to be groomed for this globalized world.

I am happy a woman has been picked as a running mate on a major political ticket, because it gives hope to women, that they could possibly have access to run for the highest office in the land.

But as to whether she has what it takes to maintain our education on the pedestal the NPP government has raised it to, I completely doubt. And the records show.

Politics is quiet funny. How some people are able to say she has come to face NAPO boot for boot is laughable.

Napo has proven himself, through his relations with teachers, by being an educational leader who listens, by improving the working conditions of teachers, by giving himself wholly to his duties as an Education Minister, tremendously leading the most significant selling point of the current government, which is education.


Facts are fact. Prof Naana had her chance to write history in her role as the then Minister for Education and she didn’t do anything I’d applause to.


So if she’s really being projected to challenge the vision of NPP, in terms of education, I feel that’s truly a loss.

Free SHS will and must be continually modified to take its best form, but it’s an absolutely commendable policy which the nation cannot bear to lose. You and I on social media may not feel it, but the children and parents who are facing extreme poverty do appreciate it much. And this is how to rule a nation, to level the ground to bridge some gaps for the poor, middle class, etc. (Oohh, how I can’t wait for the grounds to be leveled in terms of gender Equality as well)


I speak as an educationist, who wants the best opportunities and policies for children of all backgrounds.

So far, NPP cannot be challenged in their development of education in Ghana.

"Disclaimer: This is exclusively an educational analysis, considering the wide-reaching opportunities for children, especially girls. Professor May be very capable of blessing us in capacities we haven’t explored yet, but I speak based on her contribution in her tenure as an Education Minister only. This post is not about all her capabilities. I’m looking into just one compartment."

" I also re-echo my excitement for Professor’s selection as running mate. The NDC has made one of the most progressive moves as a major political party and I hope this becomes a norm, because I value any action that puts women around meaningful leadership roles."


Thank you