By Melissa Sackey
The Vice President of Ghana, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has been honoured with the title of Yokama by the Manya Krobo Traditional Council in recognition of women of substance and their contributions to society.
The honour was conferred on her during the special women’s celebration of the 133rd Ngmayem Festival at Krobo Odumase in the Eastern Region.
The week-long festival, being celebrated under the theme, “Strengthening Our Bonds: Advancing Growth Through Heritage and Unity,” brings together traditional authorities, community members and other stakeholders to celebrate Krobo heritage and promote unity and development.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang called on traditional leaders to complement government policies with community-level support to empower women and nurture young people for national development.
The Vice President also encouraged young people to remain true to themselves and not measure their progress solely by the opportunities available to them.
“I know you said we, the old ones, talk too much. We talk too much because we love you too much,” she told the youth, urging them to remain focused on their aspirations.
The Konor of Manya Krobo and President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Nene Sakite II, explained the origins of the name Yokama
He said The Yokama recognition, observed on the first Monday of the festival, celebrates women who have made significant contributions through their professional careers and service to society.
It was etablished 23 years ago. He bestowed the title on Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as part of this year’s celebration.
The 2026 celebration also marked the end of the tenure of the previous titleholders, Dr. Edith Osei and Clara Milano, a broadcast journalist at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), who served as Yokama and Associate Yokama respectively.
During their tenure, Dr. Osei established a scholarship scheme with a seed fund of GH¢50,000 to support brilliant but needy Krobo pupils who complete the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and proceed to senior high school.
However, none of the 2025/2026 graduates met the qualifying criteria for the scholarship, prompting reflection on ways to improve academic performance among Krobo pupils.
Clara Milano also undertook community outreach initiatives, including menstrual hygiene education for schoolgirls, support for new mothers, payment of hospital bills for needy people and assistance towards the rehabilitation of Akuse Prisons, where inmates were also treated to a meal.
The two outgoing titleholders further supported the repainting of the Konor’s palace and other facilities within its precincts.
Their initiatives demonstrate the community development role associated with the Yokama title, extending its significance beyond ceremonial recognition to practical interventions in education, health and social welfare.
The Manya Krobo Traditional Council’s annual Ngmayem Festival celebrates the area’s cultural heritage and provides an opportunity to strengthen unity and advance community development.
