Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Nana Oye Bampoe Addo as a Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration. Nana Oye, a human rights lawyer with 32 years of experience, has an extensive background in human rights law, litigation, and solicitor’s practice.
According to Ghana News Agency, Nana Oye holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Ghana, Legon, and a Masters in Law (LLM) in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Her career has covered various fields, including gender equality, children’s rights, public health, and governance at international, regional, and national levels. Between 2004 to 2008, she served as the Africa Regional Coordinator for the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative and later established the Human Rights Advocacy Centre in 2008.
Nana Oye has played a pivotal role in advocating for significant legislative changes, including the Children’s Act (1998), Criminal Code Amendment Act (1998), and Domestic Violence Act (2007). She has also been instrumental in mobilizing human rights NGOs to monitor violations and hold governments accountable.
Her accolades include the Vera Chirwa Award for human rights in Africa (2007), being named the fourth most influential African woman (2013), and Champion Torchbearer for Women’s Rights (2008). In 2013, she began a four-year term as the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection of Ghana, where she led the development of a strong legal and policy framework for gender, children, and social protection.
Nana Oye has also contributed significantly to the establishment of policies like the Gender Policy, Social Protection Policy, and School Feeding Policy during her tenure as a Cabinet Minister. She was a key figure in closing a traditional witch camp in Northern Ghana in 2015 and was a leading advocate for the Additional Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women and the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa.
In her political roles, she has served as Secretary for the National Democratic Congress’ Conflict Resolution Committee and Manifesto Committee, among other positions. In 2022, she was appointed to the World Bank Advisory Council for Partnership for Economic Inclusion.
Her recent appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff is another milestone in her illustrious career, promising to bring her extensive experience and commitment to human rights to the forefront of administrative functions in government.