Justina Owusu-Banahene (aka Awo) has been nominated by the President, Nana Akufo-Addo for the Bono Regional Minister position.

When approved by the 8th Parliament after vetting, she will be the second female Regional Minister for the Bono Region.

The first was the outgoing Minister, Evelyn Ama Kumi Richardson. Ms Owusu-Banahene, the 51-year old politician, Christian, and Educationist, is the Municipal Chief Executive, MCE of the Sunyani Municipal Assembly.

Her nomination has been welcomed by many individuals and groups within the Sunyani Municipality and the Region as a whole.

She is said to know the NPP inside out and also very familiar with the socio-cultural and political dynamics of the Bono Region. She has been tipped as someone who has what it takes to unify the rank and file of the NPP in the Bono Region and the ability to work with all stakeholders in the Region.

Below is a profile of Justina Awo Owusu-Banahene, Bono Regional Minister-designate.

Justina Owusu-Banahene was born on April 02, 1970, in Atronie in the Sunyani Municipality. She is not married but has a male child.

Until her elevation to the office of the MCE in May 2019, Awo was a lecturer at the University College of Education, Berekum.

Political Career

Justina Owusu-Banahene is an out and out NPP woman of high repute. She was the National Deputy Women Organizer for the New Patriotic Party from 2018 till her appointment as the MCE.

Awo is a former Regional Women Organizer of the NPP in the then Brong Ahafo Region between 2008 and 2012. She also contested as the 2nd Vice Chairperson in the Regional Executives Elections in 2018.

The Regional 2nd Vice-Chairmanship position was a straight fight between two party stalwarts – Justina Owusu Banahene and Joseph Mensah, the current 1st Vice Chairman and Regional Director, NHIS. Madam Owusu Banahene, who was initially tipped by many to carry the day, secured 271 votes as against 285 votes by Mr Mensah.

Her impressive performance did not elude the National Executives Council of the NPP, and she was appointed as the Deputy National Women Organizer for the NPP in 2018.

In May 2019, when Ama Kumi Richardson was elevated to the position of Bono Regional Minister after the division of Brong Ahafo Region into three, she was called back from National Deputy Women Organizer to come and serve as the Municipal Chief Executive of Sunyani.

A position she humbly accepted and got 100 percent endorsement from the Assembly members for confirmation.

She was a member of the Bono Regional Campaign Team for the 2016 and the 2020 general elections. She has been a TESCON member and Organizer at UCC between 2001and 2004.

She was also the Vice President for the Danquah-Busia Club at Atebubu Training College in 1995 and Acheresua Secondary School in 1992.

Education/Workshops

Justina Owusu-Banahene is a Ph.D. student in Religious Studies, holds a Master of Philosophy in Religious Studies (Ethics of Religion) and Bachelor of Education (Arts) all from the University of Cape Coast.

She completed Atebubu Teacher Training College where she was awarded a Teacher's Certificate A (3-Year Post-Sec.) in 1995.

Justina Owusu-Banahene completed her G.C.E. 'A' Level from Acherensua Secondary School in 1992 and G.C.E. 'O' Level from Techiman Secondary School in 1989.

Justina Owusu-Banahene had also participated in various strategic training and workshops as listed below;

■ 12th Annual Chief Justice’s Forum - Nov. 2020.

■ Assemblies Permitting System - 2020.

■ Annual Audit Conference - 2020.

■ Zonal Consultation Workshop on National Decentralization Policy Framework and Action Plan (2020-2024) - July 2020.

■ Ghana Urban Forum -Jan. 2020.

■ Inter-ministerial Coordination on Decentralization Zonal Workshop on the Development of National Decentralised Policy Framework and Action Plan (2020-2024) - Oct. 2019.

■ Project Pre-commence Orientation Workshop for Participating MA’s and Design and Supervision Consultants. - Sept. 2019.

■ Procurement Requirements for MA’s and Teambuilding. - Aug. 2019.

■ Environmental and Social Safeguards for Participating MA’s. Aug. 2019.

■ Urban Resilience under Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme. - May 2019.

Work Experience

Until she was appointed the MCE for the Sunyani Municipal Assembly in May 2019, Hon. Justina Owusu-Banahene was a lecturer at the Berekum College of Education.

She also worked as a part-time lecturer at Jackson College of Education in Sunyani (2010-2019), St. Ambrose College of Education (2010-2016).

Between 1995-2000, Hon. Justina Owusu-Banahene worked as a teacher with Ghana Education Service (Addokpe JSS). She also did her National Service at Garrison JHS.