Today marks the birthday of a remarkable woman, our very own Madam Frema Osei Opare, Ghana’s first female Chief of Staff. We were privileged to have her feature as a cover personality of our Women of Power issue along with Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful and Catherine Afeku. She shared her life story as well as nuggets of wisdom with us in an insightful interview. Hence on this day, we will like to share our reflections on her interview and the doses of wisdom she shared which are worth keeping.
  • Serving diligently in various tasks prepared and qualified her for her current role.
Acknowledging that becoming the nation’s first female Chief of Staff was a feather in her cap, Madam Frema admits that, serving diligently in various tasks prepared and qualified her for her current role. Her first assignment was in 2009 – serving as Chairman of conflict resolution committee for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). “That led me to understand the dynamics within the party and the internal issues that negated our progress as well as understand the party from the constituency level.” Another assignment in 2013 (after the Supreme Court Verdict) – serving as Coordinator for strengthening the party. “A lot of confidence has been put in me so I feel a sense of obligation that I must make it work for the President of the Republic and most importantly, for the women of Ghana.” Her experience as a deputy minister and Member of Parliament gave her the exposure, preparing her to give the right kind of support to the government; both administratively and protocol-wise.   Career-wise, becoming the first Ghanaian Country Director for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was a landmark for her. This was after she had become a lecturer at the University of Ghana and a Socio-Economic Advisor at FAO. She values the support of her family; who serve as her advisors. Hailing from a large family, she prides herself in the fact that the family made a conscious effort to stay together. Being a mother of four, she described her family as a close-knit one. “They tell me what is trending on social media and share ideas with me such as bringing to my notice what is going on in the field so I know how people view a particular government policy or get to know about issues bothering people.”   To her, politics is about development. Her interest in politics stems from the impact it has in people’s lives. She enjoyed spending time with her student fan base during her MP days. “They inspired me and really made me feel that it was worth being a politician. I enjoyed my time with them as their MP and I still enjoy doing so whenever I get the chance.”   She believes in mentorship. One of her earliest mentors was her Math and Science teacher back at the now St. Monica’s Senior High School, Mrs. Sabapathi. She recognized her leadership skills and together, ‘they made things happen in the interest of the students.’ Another mentor was Mrs. Joana Sarko (late), former Home Science department head at University of Ghana. “She saw something in me and helped shape my life as a student and colleague lecturer.” She takes mentorship seriously. She serves as mentor to both men and women in leadership like Shirley Ayorkor Botchway (Minister of Foreign Affairs) and other political activists. “I am a people person; I love people. People recognize my encouraging spirit, the support I give to people in times of distress and how they can better their situation in the political world.”   She values every experience she has had from both field and administrative work. She worked with women in the fishing communities, studying how their contributed to the fishing business, processing, marketing and sale of fish through the Integrated Rural Fisheries Development Project sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Travelled to Moree, Elimina etc in the Central region; an experience she really enjoyed. Madam Frema later joined the United Nations as a Socio-Economic Advisor on a fisheries project where she spent two and a half years working in fishing communities. She believes in loyalty and sincerity. “I believe in loving your neighbor as yourself.  It’s important for me to be sincere with people. I believe that if you do the right thing, the right thing will come back to you. That’s something I don’t compromise on.” Her belief in God and unshaken faith in Christ keeps her going. “Christianity is a positive religion as it gives you hope.”   Her legacy The legacy she would like to leave behind is that she made a difference in the lives of the people she worked with, her family and people she associated with in communities. Doses of inspiration from Madam Frema
  • Success is being satisfied with what you’re doing; not about being Chief of Staff.
  • Success is about every day achievement. It’s not about possession but developing day by day and making sure you’re contributing something positive to the life of an individual, community or the country.
  • You must have faith even when you are facing challenges for it is not for ill as it prepares you for a higher level.
  • Give to the world the best you have and the best will come to you.
  • Everything you do, do it with all your might and with a good spirit.
  Fun facts:
  • Favorite meal – Jollof
  • Favorite movie – Sound of Music
  • Favorite accessories – gold jewelry and beaded accessories
  • Favourite wine – red wine (contains antioxidants which are healthy for the heart)
  • Favourite activities: Gardening, reading and listening to the news.
  Photography: Gilbert Asante Stylist: Kelvincent Source: Glitz Africa Magazine Issue 17