Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, an accomplished scholar cum politician was born on November 22, 1951.
An indigene of Komenda in the Central Region, she had her GCE Ordinary and Advanced Levels education at Wesley Girls' Senior High School from 1964 through to 1971 which boasts of notable alumna namely Hannah Serwaa Tetteh, Professors Florence Abena Dolphyne, Christina Ama Ata Aidoo, Akua Takyiwaa Manuh, Henrietta Joy Abena Nyarko Mensah-Bonsu, Dr Mrs Mary Stoove Grant, Georgina Theodora Woode, Sophia Abena Boafoa Akuffo, Eva Naa Merley Lokko, Brigitte Akosua Koshie Dzogbenuku, Abena Osei-Asare, Squadron Leader Melody Millicent Danquah, Dr Mrs Mary Ekelebah Chinery-Hesse, Dr Mrs Sylvia Awo Mansa Boye, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Elizabeth Mills Robertson, Mercy Yvonne Debrah Karikari, Reverend Ama Afo Blay, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo and Irene Duncan -Adanusa.
The academic don holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours in French and English, a Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast; a Diploma in Advanced Studies from the University of Dakar; a Master of Arts and Ph.D in Literature from York University, Toronto, Canada.
Having acquitted herself creditably as an astute academician within and outside Ghana, she was elevated to the enviable position of Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast which spanned from 2008 to 2012.
Her elevation later paved the way for Professors Nana Aba Appiah Amfo and Rita Akosua Dickson to be appointed as Vice Chancellors of the University of Ghana and the University of Science and Technology.
Before her appointment, she was a Full Professor of Literature and Founding Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
Other positions she held at the University included Head of the English Department, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Chair, Board of Graduate Studies and Vice President of the Alumni Association.
On May 3, 2011, she was appointed as the first female Board Chairperson of the Graphic Communications Group Limited.
She also moderated the IEA-led Presidential Debate for the 2012 elections.
By dint of her exemplary, impactful and dynamic leadership, she also held the position of Education Minister from 2013 to 2017.
A recipient of national cum international awards with numerous publications, she has been a Fullbright scholar twice and is currently a member of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.
A proud mother of three adult children namely Dr. Kweku Opoku-Agyemang, Dr. Kwabena Opoku-Agyemang and Maame Adwoa Opoku-Agyemang she also partnered John Dramani Mahama as running mate of the National Democratic Congress during the 2020 polls.