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General News of Friday, 25 January 2019

Source: yen.com.gh

The most powerful women in Ghana according to constitution and politics

Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo

Political power in Ghana is a phenomenon that rests mainly with men.

For whatever reason, the dominance of men in Ghanaian and African society has never been properly challenged by women even in the countries where there have been female presidents.

Men have the most means to economic and material acquisition. To any political observer, this obviously means that men are more likely to control and determine who gets to hold power.

That being said, Ghana has seen the positioning of certain women in the political system that has given them so much power. These people's powers are guaranteed by the constitution of our country.

YEN.com.gh hereby lists six of the most powerful women in Ghana.

1. Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo

By the constitution of Ghana, the chief justice is the most powerful person but for the president, the vice and the speaker of Parliament.

Her Lordship Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo is the most powerful woman in Ghana. Her Lordship heads the branch of government that interprets our laws.

2. Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Justice - Gloria Akuffo

There is no proper understanding of the ranking powers within the executive cabinet. What we know is that the president and the vice-president head that group of people.

But per the powers available to the ministers, one can say the AG and justice minister, Gloria Akuffo, is the most powerful woman in cabinet.

3. Minister of Foreign Affairs - Shirley Ayorkor Botchway

Another of the women on the list of cabinet ministers is Shirley Ayorkor Botchway. She is tasked to oversee the drafting and implementation of Ghana's foreign relations agenda. Botchway has the power to shape how Ghana is seen by the rest of the world.

4. Presidential Chief of Staff - Frema Osei Opare

The president's chief of staff is responsible for anyone and everyone employed at the office of the presidency.

Technically, the staff get to the president through the chief of staff. This makes Frema Osei Opare's office the gateway through to the president.

5. Minister of Communications - Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

Ursula Owusu-Ekuful is the one tasked to supervise telecommunications, TV and radio communication as well as internet-related issues in Ghana.

It is a very sensitive position. Interestingly, her ministry is not on the current Akufo-Addo ministerial cabinet. But Owusu-Ekuful is Ghana's fourth most powerful woman per our ranking.

6. CID Director General - Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah

Off the list of ministers and the cabinet, the woman who makes the final slot on our ranking is Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah. She is in charge of serious criminal investigations.

Her position means that she has access to all major criminal information and is responsible for providing evidence for any of government's pursuits of criminal cases in court.