Speaker Profile

Ophelia Mensah Hayford, is a Ghanaian legislator and a Member of Parliament for the Mfantseman Constituency.She is also the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation. Born in Akwapim-Akropong in the Eastern Region of Ghana, Hon. Ophelia holds a BA. in Political Science from the University of Ghana, a Bachelor of Laws, and Master of Public Administration respectively from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

‍

Prior to entering politics, Hon. Ophelia dedicated herself to public service within the Ghana Police Service. Her dedication saw her rise through its ranks and allowed her participate in several foreign peace-keeping missions between 2008 and 2010. She notably served as a United Nations Police Advisor with the United Nations and African Mission (UNAMID) in Darfur, Sudan. Her dedication to international security shone brightly during her tenure in the INTERPOL Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department in Accra from 2011 to 2020, where she managed intricate investigation, request from member countries and extradition cases.

‍

Furthermore, she played a pivotal role as a UN Police Advisor and Internal Investigator of the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) within the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) from 2019 to 2020, collaborating with vital units including the Conduct and Discipline Team, the Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Focal Point.

‍

Hon. Ophelia’s transition into politics was a natural evolution of her deep-rooted passion for public service. Her election to this prominent role was marked by an impressive victory margin within her constituency, a testament not only to her own credentials but also a continuation of the legacy set by her late spouse, Hon. Ekow Kwansah Hayford, the former Member of Parliament for Mfantseman. Hon. Ophelia Mensah Hayford affectionately called "Mama Ophelia", is beloved for her warmth and genuine commitment to her constituents. Her focus as a legislator remains unwavering to ensure a secure environment for women and children, and to fervently advocate for gender equity and security.

‍

Within Parliament, Hon. Ophelia holds the position as the Vice Chairperson of the Defence and Interior Committee, having oversight responsibility of overall security services and its associated agencies. Additionally, she is a valued member of the House Committee of Parliament. Her influence extends beyond the borders of Ghana as she is a part of Ghana's delegation to the Pan-African Parliament and has championed her nation's interests during multiple meetings. Her governance roles further include her service as a Board Member on the Prisons Council.

‍

Outside her professional life, Hon. Ophelia Mensah Hayford is a devout Christian, a member of the Methodist Church of Ghana and also a loving mother to three children.