The running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has urged queen mothers to be vocal about national issues, encouraging them to openly support good initiatives and speak out against what is wrong. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stated this when she met with the Central Regional Queen Mothers Association in Cape Coast.
Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang expressed her appreciation to the queen mothers for their massive display of support at her acceptance speech at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). She said their presence among the audience was a source of encouragement that signaled the bond between them, which requires constant nurturing.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang likened herself to a student eager to learn from the wisdom of the queen mothers. She emphasised her awareness of the high expectations placed on her and assured them of her reliance on their guidance and collaboration.
She acknowledged the pivotal role queen mothers play in shaping society and fostering development at the grassroots, particularly in the fight for gender parity and social justice.
The President of the Queen Mothers’ Association, Nana Adjoa Nkansah Aduam, and her team thanked Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang for the visit. They asked her to revive all the beneficial initiatives previously instituted by the NDC government for queen mothers to enable them to develop their communities. Much of their concern was about educational and health access for women and children in their communities.
The queen mothers appealed to Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang to use her office as Vice President, when elected, to ensure that queen mothers have representation on boards addressing gender issues.
Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang thanked the queen mothers for their input and assured them of the NDC’s commitment to empowering them to help their communities. She, therefore, called for their massive support in the upcoming elections to ensure that the NDC comes back to power in order to continue meeting their needs.
Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang also urged the queen mothers to be vocal on issues that affect the nation so their presence would be felt as a force to be reckoned with. She encouraged them to show their support openly for good initiatives and to also speak out when things are not going well.
She presented the queen mothers with bottles of water, cartons of assorted drinks, snacks, and an undisclosed amount of money to aid their organisational work.
Prof. Naana Opoku-Agyemang was joined by Madam Faustina Lamptey, Central Regional Women’s Organiser; Madam Theresah Buckman, Cape Coast North Deputy Women’s Organiser; Madam Dzifa Glover, Cape Coast South Deputy Women’s Organiser; Madam Sarah Ampofo, Twifo Etimokwa Women’s Organiser; and Madam Vivian Sefor, KEEA Constituency Women’s Organiser.
Present at the meeting were various queen mothers of paramountcies and towns in the Central Region, as well as the executives of the Association, namely: Nana Adjoa Nkansah Aduam, the President; Nana Benyiwa, the Vice-President; Nana Addae Aduaa, the Secretary; Nana Otosi Otubea, the Financial Secretary; and Nana Bedu, the Organiser.