When the Ceiling Cracks: A call for gender activists to step back

Tuesday, January 7, 2025, will go down in history as a watershed moment for Ghana. The nation not only conducted a peaceful transfer of power seamlessly but also swore in its first female Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. This historic event places Ghana firmly among the pantheon of trailblazing nations, further cementing its reputation as the gateway to Africa.

Some may argue that Liberia got there first with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as President. While true, the context matters. Liberia, in its post-war rebuilding phase, found in Sirleaf the perfect symbol of renewal and hope. Ghana’s narrative is different. This isn’t a country emerging from the ashes of war; it’s a stable democracy charting new paths for the continent.

So, what does this mean for the gender equality movement in Ghana and beyond? For years, we’ve heard the rallying cries for representation, parity, and shattering the glass ceiling. But let’s be honest: that ceiling isn’t just cracking—it’s on the verge of disintegration.

Take a step back and look at the big picture. Across industries, Ghanaian women are thriving. From the corridors of power to boardrooms, laboratories, and creative spaces, women are not only participating but excelling. Women like Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang are proof that competence and capability transcend gender. The tides of history are shifting in ways unimaginable even a decade ago.

Globally, too, the story of gender representation is evolving. Countries like New Zealand, Finland, and Estonia are led by women, while multilateral organizations like the World Trade Organization are helmed by female leaders. These aren’t just token positions; these women are shaping policies and inspiring change.

In Ghana, the appointment of women to high-profile roles such as Chief Justice, Ministers of key portfolios, and CEOs of major corporations speaks volumes about how far we’ve come. The point here is not that gender inequality has been eradicated but that the trajectory is undeniably upward.

This progress calls for a shift in how we approach the gender equality discourse. Activists and advocates who once needed to shout from the rooftops now have the luxury of recalibrating their strategies. The struggle for gender parity is no longer about dismantling walls; it’s about navigating a world where those walls are already crumbling.

Persistent agitation risks creating the impression that nothing has changed, which is not only inaccurate but also counterproductive. Progress deserves acknowledgment—not as a pat on the back but as an affirmation that the work done has borne fruit. Young girls growing up today should not only hear about the barriers but also see the breakthroughs.

Gender activists should transition from the role of agitators to that of facilitators. The goal should now be mentorship, policy refinement, and creating environments where women can continue to excel. Activists should step into spaces where they nurture young talents, ensuring that this newfound progress is sustained and expanded.

The swearing-in of Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as our first female Vice President is more than a milestone; it’s a call to dream bigger. For young Ghanaian girls, this is a tangible reminder that they can aspire to the highest offices in the land. For boys, it’s a lesson that leadership is about merit, not gender.

We should embrace this new reality with pride. The narrative is shifting, and it’s imperative that we evolve with it. Gender equality is no longer a distant aspiration; it’s a living, breathing reality that we must nurture and celebrate.

Activists, take a bow. Your work has gotten us this far. Now, let the glass ceiling fall with grace, and let us all—men and women—walk into a future where equality is not a demand but a norm.