By Rachel Kakraba
Eulogized as an embodiment of limitless courage, commitment and passion for service, Ghana over the weekend (December, 18th -20th) bid farewell to one of its vociferous and finest female politicians Ama Benyiwa Doe.
She was a political icon among the few women who broke the glass ceiling in the country’s male-dominated political arena, leading political discussions for the major opposition party the NDC.
The one-time Central Regional Minister also served as a Council of State Member, and a National Women’s Organizer of National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Education and political life
Born Comfort Saah on the 28th of February, the late NDC firebrand Ama Benyiwa Doe hailed from Gomoa Abora in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region.
After Middle School, she proceeded to the Accra Workers College where she obtained her GCE Advanced Level certificate. She advanced to the M.I Kaliun School where she obtained a Diploma.
The astute politician began her political journey in 1992 when she contested and won the Gomoa West Parliamentary seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress. Madam Benyiwa Doe again retained the seat in 1996 and 2000.
She was however unseated in 2004 by a Candidate of the NPP Joe Kingsley Hackman. The outspoken politician continued to serve the NDC in various capacities.
She took office as the National Women’s Organizer until her appointment as the Central Regional Minister under the Mills administration.
She also served as a Member of the Council of State during the Mahama era.
News of her death
Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe passed on in Tema in the early hours of Sunday, September 19, 2021.
The news of her death saw high profile personalities including President Akufo-Addo expressing sadness over her demise. President Akufo-Addo described Madam Doe as a good friend of his.
“I’m sad to hear about the news of the death of Ama Benyiwa Doe. She was a colleague in Parliament and a good friend. May her soul rest in perfect peace until the Last Day of the Resurrection, when we shall all meet again. Amen!!”
Former President and the 2020 Presidential Candidate of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama also expressed sadness over the death of Ama Benyiwa-Doe, a stalwart of the party. He described the late Ama Benyiwa-Doe as a true gender activist.
“I have received, with deep sadness, news of the demise of one of the most inspirational icons to have served our party, the NDC, and this great nation.”
“She was not only a politician, but also a gender activist and champion of women’s rights. Ama Benyiwa Doe was an embodiment of limitless courage, commitment, and passion for service”.
Former NDC Member of Parliament for Ho Central, Kofi Attor worked closely with Ama Benyiwa Doe. He recounted some nostalgic moments with her, saying “As part of the revolution when all cadres came from the country, Ama and I were chosen to be rapporteurs for one of the groups. We were together putting together our report by 11:00pm. She was very hardworking and very resilient”.
For National Chairman of the NDC, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the late AMA Benyiwa Doe’s commitment to the work of the party, was unparalleled and forever her fighting spirit will be missed.
“For almost thirty years everybody knew how Ama worked selflessly. Her commitment and dedication to the party is unparalleled. She has the fighting spirit and was very articulate on radio and committed a lot of her time to moving from one radio station to another radio station to defend the records of the party”.
Madam Ama Benyiwa-Doe, otherwise known as “Ama Chavez” for her strong political views and courage also had time for her family. For her son Dr. Steve Reeves Doe, they have lost a loving mother.
“The world has lost its political Stalwart in the person of the Honorable Mrs. Ama Benyiwa Doe. But, for my siblings and I we have lost a loving mother whom we miss very much. We will focus on the positive impact that she has left in our lives as her children and grandchildren as well”.
The vociferous Auntie Ama Benyiwa Doe at a point admitted that serving as a Member of the Council of State in a way tamed her. But, she still believed constructive criticism of an incumbent government was crucial to nation building.
She was not only a Politician, but also a Gender Activist and a Champion of Women’s Rights. She nurtured some young girls to take up leadership roles. She was an inspiration to many young women and served the NDC, and her country well.
Final funeral rites
Final funeral rites, which was followed by a private burial was held at her hometown, Gomoa Abora in the Central Region. Leadership of the National Democratic Congress, including Former President John Mahama, Chairman of the party, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo and General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia, attended the funeral to pay their last respects. Others included, the 2020 running mate of the party, Professor Nana Jane Opoku Agyemang, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu.
In a Facebook post Former President Mahama wrote;
“The icon that she was, Ama Benyiwa Doe was a thought leader and change maker, a gender activist and champion of women’s rights. Indeed, it would be almost impossible to document the history of women leadership in our country without including the role played by Aunty Ama. She broke the glass ceiling and blazed the trail of political leadership, thereby paving the way for increased women participation in politics. She demonstrated that it could be done and done well”.
Central Regional Minister, Marigold Assan who was there to commiserate with the family and other well wishers paid glowing tribute to the late Ama Benyiwa Doe for her hard work and resilience. She said the Central Region has lost a hero.
“As a region, we have lost a great person and others must be encouraged to follow in her footsteps”
The late Ama Benyiwa Doe, otherwise known as AMA Chavez, was 73 years. May her soul continue to rest in peace.
