Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has been honoured by the chiefs and people of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area for her contributions to education, politics and national development.
The honour was conferred on her at Yokama Ligbi, also known as Ideal Woman Day, during the 133rd anniversary celebration of the Ngmayem Festival at Odumase-Krobo in the Eastern Region.
The event, initiated in 2003 by the Konor of Manya Krobo, Nene Sakite II, celebrates industrious and virtuous Krobo women for their professional achievements, character and contributions to their families and communities.
Nene Sakite II, who is also President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, appealed to the Vice-President to assist Krobo Girls Senior High School with a bus to support its day-to-day activities.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang highlighted government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women and children, citing the Social Protection Act 2025, the Social Protection Regulations and the Affirmative Action Regulations 2026.
She said the focus should now be on ensuring that the policies translated into tangible outcomes.
“The task now is implementation,” she said, stressing the importance of traditional leadership in achieving the objectives of the policies.
She urged queen mothers to use their influence and experience to promote women’s participation in community decision-making.
“I especially encourage our beloved queen mothers to draw on their influence and experience to ensure that women have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their communities,” she said.
The Vice-President also highlighted the Women’s Development Bank as an intervention to address the financial barriers confronting women, particularly those engaged in trading and farming who lacked the collateral or financial history required to secure bank loans.
“Our objective is to give them a fairer opportunity to establish and grow their livelihoods and to participate more fully in the economy,” she said.
On education, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang cited the Free Senior High School programme as an intervention to help remove barriers to girls’ education.
She, however, said government interventions alone could not determine the future of young people, emphasising the responsibilities of families, schools, traditional authorities and communities.
Encouraging the youth to broaden their outlook, she said: “Stay curious about the world beyond what is familiar to you, and always be willing to learn, and even reconsider what you know.”
Yokama Ligbi is an integral part of the annual Ngmayem Festival, which celebrates the cultural heritage and traditions of the Manya Krobo people.
