By: Rachel Quartey & Rukayatu Musah
A delegation from Harvard Kennedy School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) paid a courtesy visit to Ghana’s Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. The visit provided an opportunity for the Vice President to engage with students from these prestigious institutions, some of whom are studying public policy and governance. Their conversation centered on Ghana’s political climate, offering valuable insights into the country’s democratic journey.
Ghana has maintained a democratic system for over three decades since transitioning to constitutional democracy in 1992, following years of military rule, earning significant international recognition and making it a compelling case study for students and researchers. The students who came on an exchange programme were interested in knowing more about Ghana’s democracy. Vice President – Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang therefore shared her insights and experiences with them.
“This is not the kind of journey you take all by yourself,” she said. “Many people have come before you. They’ve all made their input, and you learn from them.”
She urged political stakeholders to focus on the good each party brings to the table, promoting national unity and development.
“The first thing you need to be aware of is that democracy is contentious,” she noted. “But if we piece society together, taking the best from all, it becomes a strong antidote to division.”
On her priorities in office, the Vice President emphasized that her primary focus is the well-being of all Ghanaians, with a special emphasis on marginalized communities.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also challenged the perception that foreign aid to Africa is a one-sided act of charity.
“And I’ve heard the president of the country you are studying in slashing aid. You see, one of the questions he hasn’t asked himself – how much leaves are continent to his country? He hasnt asked himself that. They think its just charity, it is not! At the right time we’ll also take our action and it will not be funny,” Ghana’s Vice President stated.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that wealth flows out of the continent far more than it receives, and that Africa will not continue to accept economic imbalances.
The Harvard Kennedy School is the school of public policy and governance of Harvard University.
