In 2025, Ghana recorded defining moments for women in public leadership, particularly in governance and other security institutions that were traditionally dominated by males.

This GhanaWeb article chronicles some outstanding women who broke barriers and redefined gender stereotypes in the country's public sector.

Their stories serve as an inspiration for a new generation of girls to aspire to leadership positions.

Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang

Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang made history as the first woman to occupy the office of Vice President of Ghana.

Her elevation to the country’s second-highest political office marked a watershed moment in Ghana’s democratic journey and opened up the space for women in leadership positions.

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Before assuming office as Vice President, she served as Chancellor of the Women’s University in Africa in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 2018 to 2024.

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.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang is the immediate past president of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and Chairperson of the Africa Board.

She also served as the Minister for Education of Ghana from 2013 to 2017.

COP Lydia Yaako Donkor

Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, also made history by becoming the first Ghanaian and only female to be elected to serve a four-year term as a member of the newly formed INTERPOL Africa Committee.

She enlisted in the Ghana Police Service in 2003 as a legal officer and rose through the ranks to become the most senior lawyer within the service.

Her previous roles include,Head of Legal and Prosecutions in various regional commands, Divisional and District Commander at Tesano‑Accra, and Member of the United Nations Police (UNPOL) in Liberia, focusing on evaluation and discipline
Director-General of the Police Professional Standards Bureau.

DCFO Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sarpong

In March 2025, President John Dramani Mahama appointed DCFO Mawusi Ntow Sarpong as the Chief Fire Officer, making her the first woman to lead the service.

Until her appointment, Ntow Sapong served as the Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) and Director of Fire Safety, roles in which she distinguished herself through her dedication and exemplary leadership.

Ruth Dela Seddoh

On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the National Service Authority witnessed a historic leadership transition as Ruth Dela Seddoh officially assumed office as the new Director-General.

Before her appointment, she served as the Deputy National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)

She played an integral role in the Manifesto Committee for Youth and Sports in the NDC.

Prof Elsie Effah Kaufmann

Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann, one of Ghana’s most respected STEM leaders and quiz mistress for the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ), also achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Ghanaian International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) in the UK.

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She joined an exclusive global cohort of only nine individuals elected worldwide in 2025, marking a landmark moment for Ghanaian engineering and STEM leadership.

The biomedical engineer was officially inducted at a ceremony held in London in November 2025.