All You Need To Know About Ghanaian Politician Cecilia Abena Dapaah
Early Life of Cecilia Abena Dapaah
Cecilia Abena Dapaah was born on November 27, 1954, in Mpasatia, Ashanti Region, Ghana. She attended the University of Ghana, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Linguistics in 1979. She then went on to earn a certificate in leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School and a postgraduate certificate in International Development Studies from the University of Oslo.
After graduating from university, Dapaah worked as a development worker for several organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. In 2001, she was appointed chairperson of the Board of Ghana Cocoa Processing Company. She held this position until 2005, when she was appointed deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing. In 2007, she was promoted to substantive minister, a position she held until the end of the John Kufour administration in 2008.
Political Career of Cecilia Abena Dapaah
Cecilia Abena Dapaah has served in various ministerial positions since 2005. She is a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and has represented the Bantama constituency in the Ashanti Region in Parliament since 2004.
Dapaah began her political career as a development worker and special assistant to President John Kufuor. In 2005, she was appointed Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works, and Housing. She served in this position until 2008 when she was promoted to Minister of State.
In 2017, Dapaah was appointed Minister for Aviation by President Nana Akufo-Addo. She served in this position until 2018, when she was moved to the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources but resigned on July 22, 2023.
Dapaah is a controversial figure. She has been accused of corruption and mismanagement. In 2023, she was arrested and charged with money laundering after she reported that she had been robbed of $5 million in cash.
Despite the controversies, Dapaah remains a powerful figure in Ghanaian politics. She is seen as a rising star in the NPP and is considered to be a potential future leader of the party.
Here is a timeline of Dapaah's political career:
- 2001: Appointed chairperson of the Board of Ghana Cocoa Processing Company
- 2005: Appointed Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works, and Housing
- 2007: Promoted to Minister of State
- 2017: Appointed Minister for Aviation
- 2018: Appointed Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources
Achievements of Cecilia Abena Dapaah
Cecilia Abena Dapaah is a Ghanaian politician who has served as the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources since 2018. She has also served as the Minister of Aviation and the Caretaker Minister for the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
Dapaah has a long history of public service, and she has been involved in a number of initiatives to improve the lives of Ghanaians. Some of her notable achievements include:
- Increasing access to safe water and sanitation: Under Dapaah's leadership, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has made significant progress in increasing access to safe water and sanitation in Ghana. In 2018, only 60% of Ghanaians had access to safely managed drinking water, but by 2022, this number had increased to 72%. The ministry has also made progress in reducing open defecation, with the number of people practicing open defecation declining from 12% in 2018 to 7% in 2022.
- Improving air transportation in Ghana: As Minister of Aviation, Dapaah oversaw the construction of the new terminal at the Kotoka International Airport, which has increased capacity and improved efficiency at the airport. She also worked to improve safety standards in the aviation sector, and she launched a number of initiatives to promote tourism in Ghana.
- Promoting gender equality: Dapaah is a strong advocate for gender equality, and she has worked to promote the rights of women and girls in Ghana. She has supported a number of initiatives to increase women's participation in politics and in the workforce, and she has also worked to combat gender-based violence.
Dapaah is a respected figure in Ghanaian politics, and she is known for her dedication to public service. She is a strong advocate for the poor and marginalized, and she is committed to improving the lives of all Ghanaians.
In addition to her work in government, Dapaah is also a member of the Pan-African Parliament and the African Union's High-Level Panel on Water and Sanitation. She is a frequent speaker at international conferences on water, sanitation, and gender equality.
In 2019, Dapaah was appointed Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources by President Nana Akufo-Addo. In this role, she has overseen the implementation of the government's National Sanitation Policy and the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) initiative. She has also played a key role in the development of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).
Dapaah is a strong advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment. She is a member of the Women and Parliamentarians' Caucus in Ghana and the African Women's Network for Water and Sanitation. She is also a founding member of the Women's Hub for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Africa.
Dapaah is a respected leader in Ghana and in the global water and sanitation community. She is a role model for women and girls everywhere, and her work has made a significant impact on the lives of millions of people.
Awards Received by Cecilia Abena Dapaah
Cecilia Abena Dapaah has received several awards for her work in government and development. These include:
- Pan African Humanitarian Award for Excellence (2019)
- Woman of Substance Award (2018)
- Ghanaian Achievers Award (2017)
- Most Influential Woman in Ghana Award (2016)
- Ghanaian Women's Leadership Award (2015)
Dapaah has also been recognized by the United Nations and other international organizations for her work on water, sanitation, and hygiene. She is a member of the Global Water Partnership and the World Economic Forum's Water and Sanitation Partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cecilia Abena Dapaah
Who is Cecilia Abena Dapaah's Husband?
Cecilia Abena Dapaah's husband is Daniel Osei Kuffour. He is a businessman and the CEO of Osei Kuffour Group of Companies. The couple have been married for over 20 years.
How many children does Cecilia Abena Dapaah have?
She and her husband have only one child (a daughter) together.
Who are Cecilia Abena Dapaah's children?
Cecilia Abena Dapaah has one child, a daughter named Gifty Opoku-Dapaah. Gifty is a businesswoman and the CEO of Gifty Opoku-Dapaah Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides education and healthcare to underprivileged children in Ghana. She is also the founder of the Gifty Opoku-Dapaah Fashion Academy, which trains young people in the fashion industry.
Who are the parents of Cecilia Abena Dapaah?
Cecilia Abena Dapaah's parents are Mr. and Mrs. Kwame Dapaah. They are both from Mpasatia in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Mr. Dapaah was a farmer and Mrs. Dapaah was a trader.
Who are the siblings of Cecilia Abena Dapaah?
Cecilia Abena Dapaah has two siblings: a brother, Nana Akwasi Essan II, and a sister, Mary Dapaah. Her brother was a chief in the Bantama Traditional Area, and her sister is a businesswoman.
There is some confusion online about whether Cecilia Dapaah has another brother named Michael Dapaah. However, this is not the case. Michael Dapaah is a British actor and comedian who is not related to Cecilia Dapaah. He was born in Croydon, England, to Ghanaian parents.
What is the Net Worth of Cecilia Abena Dapaah?
The net worth of Ghanaian politician Cecilia Abena Dapaah is not publicly known. However, based on her career earnings and assets, it is estimated to be in the millions of dollars.
What are businesses owned by Cecilia Abena Dapaah?
There is no information publicly available about Dapaah owning any businesses.
What church does Cecilia Dapaah attend?
Dapaah is a Christian and a member of the Church of Pentecost.
What schools did Cecilia Abena Dapaah attend?
Cecilia Abena Dapaah attended the following schools:
- University of Ghana, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and linguistics in 1979.
- Harvard Kennedy School, where she earned a certificate in leadership.
- University of Oslo, where she earned a postgraduate certificate in International Development Studies.
In addition to these formal educational institutions, Dapaah also received training in development work from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a member of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
How old is Cecilia Abena Dapaah?
As of today, July 31, 2023, she is 68 years old.
When was Cecilia Abena Dapaah born/What is the date of birth of Cecilia Abena Dapaah?
Cecilia Abena Dapaah was born on November 27, 1954.
What tribe does Cecilia Abena Dapaah belong to?
Cecilia Abena Dapaah is a member of the Ashanti tribe, the largest and most influential tribe in Ghana.
What is the hometown of Cecilia Abena Dapaah/where does Cecilia Abena Dapaah come from?
Ghanaian politician Cecilia Abena Dapaah hails from Mpasatia in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.
What religion does Cecilia Abena Dapaah belong to?
Cecilia Abena Dapaah is a Christian