Okyeame Kwame urges Mahama, Jane Naana to honour Ghana’s founding mothers

Ghanaian musician Okyeame Kwame has called on President John Mahama and Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to spearhead a nationwide effort to honor women who played a pivotal role in Ghana's independence and development. In a letter dated October 21, 2026, Okyeame Kwame outlined four steps to acknowledge the contributions of Ghana's founding mothers: revamping history education, establishing a national recognition program, promoting women's empowerment, and creating public art to commemorate their achievements.

He urged the President and Vice President to take the lead, citing Mahama's decision to select a female running mate, who later became Vice President. Okyeame Kwame emphasized that women were essential to Ghana's fight for independence, as they organized communities, funded movements, challenged colonial rule, shaped ideas of freedom, and contributed to the nation's institutions.

He pointed out that the lack of recognition for women's contributions impacts gender equality, national progress, and the aspirations of future generations. The musician proposed five women for recognition: Susanna Al-Hassan, Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey, Theodosia Salome Okoh, Mabel Dove Danquah, and Ama Nkrumah. He stressed that the list was not exhaustive, mentioning Hannah Kudjoe, Oforiwaa Tagoe, and others who also contributed to independence.

Okyeame Kwame proposed several actions, including revising the history curriculum, creating a national recognition program, providing mentorship and support for women and girls, and commissioning murals and naming infrastructure after influential women. He urged the President to designate a lead institution to oversee the initiative and ensure it becomes a permanent commitment to honoring Ghana's founding mothers.