The Women’s University in Africa Board of Trustees led by Dr Fay King Chung in terms of Statutory Instrument 130 of 2004 section 11 has appointed a Ghanaian citizen, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the University Chancellor. She succeeds Dr Inonge Mbikusita Lewanika of Zambia whose tenure as the University Chancellor ended in March 2018. Professor Naana J. S Opoku-Agyenmang is no stranger in breaking new ground. She was the first woman to hold the position of Vice Chancellor in Ghana, leading the University of Cape Coast (UCC) from 2008 to 2012. She is a renowned researcher and described in her motherland as a courageous woman determined to never accept the status quo on gender inequalities. Professor Naana J. S Opoku – Agyemang joins WUA at the right time as it takes its mandate of addressing gender disparities and fostering equity in university education to another level. Her joining of the University truly makes WUA a Pan African University of choice.

Professor Naana Opoku – Agyemang is currently the President of the Forum for African Women Educationalists and chairperson of the Africa Board. She is a professor of Literature at the University of Cape Coast. She has been Minister for Education in Ghana from 2013 to 2017. At the University of Cape Coast, she was Head of the Department of English, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dean of the Board of Graduate Studies and Founding Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang holds a BA (Hons) in French and English, a Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast; A Diploma in Advanced Studies in French from the University of Dakar; an MA and PhD in Literature from York University, Toronto, Canada.

She is a recipient of many international awards as follows:

• Officer of the Order of the Volta- the highest award Ghana bestows on her citizens (for Academic Distinction);
• Ghana Women of Excellence Award (Category: Education);
• Doctor of Letters (DLitt) University of Cape Coast (Honoris Causa HC);
• Doctor of Humane Letters (DLitt) [HC],Grand Valley State University, Michigan, USA (HC);
• Doctor of Humane Letters, (DLitt) [HC], Winston Salem State University, North Carolina, USA (HC);
• Doctor of Laws (LLD) University of the West Indies (HC);
• Global Leadership Award, University of South Florida, USA;
• Twice recognized for Outstanding Performance in Advancing International Education, School for International Training, Vermont, USA.

She has been a member of many inter/national Boards and Committees including the College of Physicians and Surgeons as Eminent Citizen; the Centre for Democratic Governance, (CDD-Ghana) the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); Global Advisory Council, World Learning Inc.; Editorial Board, The Harriet Tubman Series on the African Diaspora (Africa World Press Inc. USA); Africa Initiative, Canada; Adam Matthew Digital, UK. She has many publications on Women in Literature, Oral Literature in Africa (the narrative) and Issues in the African Diaspora.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang has been twice a Fulbright scholar and is currently a member of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is very happy with three adult children: Dr. Kweku Opoku-Agyemang, Dr. Kwabena Opoku-Agyemang, Ms. Maame Adwoa Opoku-Agyemang, and the proud grandmother of Nana Kwesi.

The WUA Family welcomes Professor Naana Opoku – Agyemang to Zimbabwe and particularly the Women’s University in Africa. Her Inauguration will take place at the 14th Graduation Ceremony to be held in Harare on 26 October 2018. She will also confer degrees, diplomas, certificates and other awards of the University to the 2018 class.