GhanaWeb Feature by: Joycelyn Kyei-Baffuor Women empowerment has been identified as one of the best and surest ways that Africa can turn around the narrative of poverty and disease. Although the terrain is tough, several women have managed to secure the second most powerful seat in national governance - the vice-presidential slot. Interestingly, the first African woman in this role was appointed by Yahya Jammeh in 1997 - Isatou Njie-Saidy. As of August 2017, Africa could boast of three female vice-presidents. All three countries incidentally have 'ia' at the end of their names: The Gambia (West Africa), Zambia (Southern Africa), and Tanzania (East Africa).