Okyeame Kwame sends open letter to presidency to honour Ghana’s founding mothers

Ghanaian musician Okyeame Kwame has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang to lead a national effort to recognise the contributions of women to Ghana’s independence and development.

In an open letter to the two leaders, the musician argued that Ghana’s freedom was not won by men alone, noting that women played vital roles in mobilising communities, financing political movements and challenging colonial rule, yet many remain underrecognised.

As part of his recent Ayekoo (Big Up) campaign, Okyeame Kwame highlighted five women whose contributions deserve greater national recognition: Susanna Al-Hassan, Rebecca Naa Dedei Aryeetey, popularly known as Dedei Ashikishan, Theodosia Salome Okoh, Mabel Dove Danquah and Ama Nkrumah.

He proposed four key measures, including strengthening the teaching of women’s contributions in Ghana’s history curriculum, establishing a National Founding Mothers Recognition Programme, expanding empowerment opportunities for women and girls, and honouring these women through public art, monuments and the naming of public institutions.

The musician also called for greater investment in mentorship, leadership development, technical education and enterprise support to help women and girls participate more fully in national development.

He urged the President to designate a lead institution to coordinate the proposals, stressing that recognising Ghana’s founding mothers should become a lasting national commitment rather than a symbolic gesture.

“Let us honour the women who helped make Ghana possible by remembering their contributions and creating conditions in which the next generation of Ghanaian women can help shape the country’s future,” he wrote.