The National Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has reiterated her party’s commitment to addressing poverty in the Central Region by working closely with queen mothers.
Speaking during an engagement with the queen mothers of the Central Region as part of her tour of the region, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang underscored the importance of traditional leadership, particularly queen mothers, in combating poverty and fostering sustainable development.
The former education minister, who spoke on the theme “Building the Central Region We Want: The Shared Perspectives from Our Queen Mothers”, expressed concern that the Central Region remains one of the poorest in Ghana, ranking as the fourth poorest region in the country.
She emphasized the need for governments to collaborate with traditional authorities to create lasting solutions to the region’s economic challenges.
In her address, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stressed that the next NDC government will take deliberate steps to uplift the Central Region by fostering greater collaboration between traditional leaders, local communities, and the state.
She described the engagement of queen mothers as a crucial strategy for empowering women, promoting economic growth, and tackling poverty in the region.
“The Central Region’s poverty levels remain deeply concerning, and it is high time that we work together with traditional authorities to make a difference. Queen mothers are pivotal to the success of this vision, and we must leverage their influence and knowledge to help address the region’s challenges.”
Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, National Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate
Key NDC Initiatives for Women’s Empowerment
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang outlined several key policies that the next National Democratic Congress government will introduce to empower women and create jobs.
These include the 24-Hour Economy, which she noted aims to stimulate economic activity round-the-clock, and the Women’s Development Bank, a financial institution designed to support women in business and entrepreneurship.
Additionally, the running mate to former President John Dramani Mahama touted the National Apprenticeship Programme and the Big Push initiative as the NDC’s vital interventions that will provide training, skills development, and infrastructure to boost employment opportunities across the country, including in the Central Region.
“The NDC is committed to developing a robust framework that not only empowers women financially but also creates lasting job opportunities. The Central Region will not be left behind in these transformative efforts.”
Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, National Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate
Tackling Teenage Pregnancy and Social Challenges
Addressing the social challenges facing the region, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang acknowledged the high incidence of teenage pregnancy in the Central Region, noting that it exacerbates poverty and hinders the potential of young women.
She pledged that the next NDC government would work closely with queen mothers to address this issue through education, awareness, and community-based interventions.
“Teenage pregnancy is a significant problem that we cannot ignore. The next NDC government will collaborate with our queen mothers to provide education and guidance to young girls, helping them to achieve their full potential and break the cycle of poverty”.
Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, National Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate
A Call for Support in 2024 Elections
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang concluded her address by urging the queen mothers and their communities to support the NDC in the upcoming general elections, emphasizing the critical role their votes would play in securing a future of opportunity and prosperity for Ghana.
“I urge you all to vote for our presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, in the December 7 elections. Together, we can build the Central Region and our nation into a place where every citizen, especially women, has the chance to thrive”.
Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, National Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate
The tour, which is part of the NDC’s broader outreach strategy, is expected to further strengthen the party’s relationship with traditional authorities and amplify its message of empowerment and inclusive development.
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