Akosua Osei FremaOpare& Rebecca Akufo-Addo at the event
Ghana’s First Female Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, has been honoured as the Model African Woman of the Year 2019.
She was presented with the award by the ExLA Group yesterday in Accra during the fourth edition of the Young African Women Congress (YAWC) which took place at the Bank of Ghana auditorium of the University of Ghana.
The Chief of Staff is a development consultant with 40 years working experience with organizations like FAO and UNDP. She is also the two-term former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency in Accra and a Cabinet Minister during the erstwhile President John Agyekum Kufuor administration.
During her tenure in Parliament, she was instrumental in the passage of the Disability Act of Ghana, the Labour Act of Ghana, and the Human Trafficking Act.
Akosua Osei Frema-Opare (right) at the award ceremony
She was appointed Ghana’s first female Chief of Staff in 2017 by President Akufo-Addo.
A citation of honour was presented to her on behalf of the ExLA Group by the Minister of Public Procurement and MP for Dome/Kwabenya Constituency, Sarah Adwoa Sarfo, at the event which was graced by several ministers including Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
An excerpt from the citation read: “You are a woman and you are indeed a mother.”
Ghana’s First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, speaking at the ceremony, encouraged young African women to tap into the life and history of the Chief of Staff.
She indicated that Madam Osei-Opare has had tremendous impact on the lives of many in Ghana.
In a brief remark, Madam Osei-Opare, after receiving the award, thanked President Akufo-Addo for appointing her.
She also expressed gratitude to the many individuals who supported her throughout her career life.
BY Melvin Tarlue& Donny Morrison