Amma Frimpong Dwuman, a certified teacher and lawyer, has always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. In 1996, she was admitted to study law at the University of Ghana, but due to financial constraints, her mother, a teacher, could not afford the tuition. This setback led Amma to teacher training college, where she spent three years, followed by another three years of teaching to earn a study leave. By the time she gained university admission, law was only offered as a post-graduate degree, prompting her to pursue a first degree in English before finally achieving her law degree in 2011.
Raised by her mother, Amma credits her upbringing for shaping her values and path. “Being raised by a teacher gave me empathy and a strong understanding of where people come from,” she says. After completing teacher training, Amma became pregnant at the age of 20, which further motivated her to create a better life for herself and her unborn child.
When interviewed by Just4WomenAfrica about her political journey, Amma shared that her foray into politics was unplanned. During her university days, she joined a political group called Tescon, which sparked her political career. Amma believes that politics shouldn’t be left to a select few, but should involve everyone.
Amma emphasizes that seats at the table should be made available for women not merely because of their gender, but because they are developed and equipped to fulfill those roles. She advocates for a conscious, deliberate plan to ensure that women are prepared and empowered for leadership positions, ensuring their contributions are meaningful and impactful.
When asked about the low participation of women in politics in Ghana, Amma noted that it is a global issue, not just a Ghanaian one. She highlighted the challenges women face in leadership roles across various sectors, citing stereotypes and biases. “Moving up the ladder as a woman is very difficult, and the support is often lacking,” she says. Amma advocates for conscious efforts to create opportunities for women, ensuring that they are developed and prepared for leadership roles, rather than being appointed just because of their gender.
Amma’s role models in politics include her mother, Ursula Owusu, Hannah Tetteh, Sammy Awuku, former President John Kufuor, and Michelle Obama. Looking ahead, Amma is optimistic about the future of women in politics.
She believes that with the right encouragement, Ghana’s parliament could one day be equally represented by men and women.