Basic 5 · History · Some Selected Individuals
Ghanaians Who Made a Difference: Women in Business and Public Life
In this topic you will learn about Ghanaian women who contributed to business, health and public service.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Name Ghanaians who contributed to business and public life
- Describe their achievements
- Identify qualities that made them successful
What you already know
- Sports and the arts
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- My Country Ghana
- Sub-strand
- Some Selected Individuals
- Indicator
- B5.2.5.1.1 – Name Ghanaians who have made significant Contribution locally and internationally
Introduction
Some heroes do not appear on the news every day. They start businesses, open hospitals, care for the poor and fight for the rights of others. Their work improves many lives.
1. Esther Afua Ocloo
Esther Ocloo started a business making marmalade and orange juice with only a small amount of money. Her company, Nkulenu Industries, became famous for processing local foods. She trained many women to run businesses and was the first chairperson of the National Council on Women and Development. She also helped found Women's World Banking, which lends money to poor women around the world. Her life teaches hard work, saving and self-reliance.
2. Health and Service
| Person | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Dr Susan de-Graft Johnson | the first Ghanaian woman to qualify as a medical doctor (1947) |
| Justice Annie Jiagge | the first woman judge in the Commonwealth; helped draft the UN declaration on ending discrimination against women |
| Mabel Dove-Danquah | journalist and the first woman elected to an African legislature (1954) |
3. Qualities of Successful People
| Quality | How it helped them |
|---|---|
| hard work | Esther Ocloo built a big company from a small start |
| courage | Annie Jiagge took on roles no woman had held before |
| education | doctors and judges studied for many years |
| service | they used their success to help others |
| honesty | people trusted them and their businesses |
Each of these Ghanaians faced difficulties. Many people believed women could not be judges or doctors. They proved that people of any background can succeed with education, determination and good character. Today more Ghanaian women serve as doctors, judges, engineers, ministers and business owners because these pioneers opened the way.
You do not need to be famous to make a difference. A teacher who helps pupils, a nurse who cares for patients and a farmer who feeds the town are all contributing to Ghana.
New words
- entrepreneur
- A person who starts and runs a business.
- pioneer
- The first person to do something.
- self-reliance
- Depending on oneself.
- judge
- A person who decides cases in court.
- contribution
- Help given to achieve something.
- determination
- Not giving up.
Summary
- Esther Ocloo built Nkulenu Industries and helped women in business.
- Annie Jiagge was a pioneering judge and women's rights leader.
- Early female doctors opened the way for others.
- Hard work, courage and service lead to success.
Class activity: Local Hero Report
- Identify someone in your community who has contributed to others.
- Write about what they do and why it is important.
- Invite them to speak to the class if possible.
You need: Portrait cards of notable Ghanaians, Ghana map, Exercise books
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Esther Ocloo founded…
- A. Nkulenu Industries
- B. Achimota College
- C. the CPP
- D. the UN
Show answer
Answer: Nkulenu IndustriesIt processes local foods.2. Who was the first woman judge in the Commonwealth?
- A. Annie Jiagge
- B. Yaa Asantewaa
- C. Efua Sutherland
- D. Esther Ocloo
Show answer
Answer: Annie JiaggeShe was a Ghanaian judge.3. Which quality means not giving up?
- A. Determination
- B. Laziness
- C. Pride
- D. Fear
Show answer
Answer: DeterminationIt leads to success.4. Esther Ocloo helped other women start businesses.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueShe trained many women.5. Only famous people contribute to Ghana's development.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseOrdinary workers also contribute.6. A person who starts and runs a business is an ______.
Show answer
Answer: entrepreneurLike Esther Ocloo.7. State two qualities that made these Ghanaians successful.
Show answer
Answer: Hard work and courage (or education, service, honesty).Any two.8. Explain how pioneers like Annie Jiagge help future generations.
Show answer
Answer: They show that new roles are possible and open the way for others to follow.Role models.
Homework
- Write a letter of thanks to someone in your community who helps others.