Professor Naa Afaley Sackeyfio, recognised as the first female running mate in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, has passed away. She was a pioneering figure in Ghanaian politics and her death was confirmed by family sources.
Professor Sackeyfio made history in 1992 when she stood as the running mate to a presidential candidate from the National Independence Party during Ghana’s return to constitutional rule. Although the party did not win the election and later became defunct, her participation marked an important milestone for women’s involvement in high‑level politics in the country.
Aside from her political milestone, she was a respected academic with a distinguished career in English language studies at the University of Cape Coast. She was also an accomplished author and poet, contributing significantly to Ghana’s literary scene.
After her brief tenure in active politics, Professor Sackeyfio returned to academia but continued to champion greater participation of women in leadership roles. Her legacy remains influential in conversations about gender equality and political representation in Ghana.
