Catherine Abelema Afeku
Nana Awiefom, Gyantuahene of Lower Axim Traditional Area, has praised the area’s Member of Parliament (MP), Catherine Abelema Afeku, for championing the development of the area during her tenure as the MP.
He said the tenacity and courage of the MP who was defeated in the just ended parliamentary elections, has earned her the title ‘Nzema Yaa Asantewaa’.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE, the revered chief said the MP fought a good fight in the 2020 parliamentary election and it was unfortunate she lost.
“This lady has not rested since 2004 when she came back from America, and helped build the NPP from ground zero in the Nzemaland.
“Hitherto, we had only the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the NDC. She faced lots of resistance from the old guards when she wanted to dissolve the alliance of CPP and NPP.
“She was however, able to break that yoke and went on against all odds to contest on the NPP’s ticket and win for the NPP for the first time in the Nzemaland in 2008,” the chief noted.
The chief told the paper that in 2012, when the MP lost the elections to NDC, Catherine Afeku did not abandon the constituency and that she held it together and bounced back in 2016.
“Her come back saw unprecedented developmental projects that has never happened in the history of our constituency,” the chief indicated.
Nana Awiefom mentioned the construction of a sports stadium, fishing habour, roads, creation of Cocoa District and the construction of a DVLA office among others.
He said it was sad that the efforts of the MP were not rewarded with victory. “However we still see her as a winner and a fighter,” he added.
The chief said, “We are of the conviction that the NPP should as a matter of urgency re-strategise its politics in Nzema.
“Nzemaland should be a stronghold of the NPP because of the history of Paa Grant who was from Axim and RS Blay who played significant roles in the UP tradition.
“The young generation should know this so they could own Nzema Danquah, Busia, Dombo tradition,” Nana Awiefom stated.
The chief continued, “I am old enough to know the significance of Nzema in the UP tradition. It’s time the NPP refocuses on the Nzema enclave as its own territory.
“So the perseverance of Catherine Afeku and the rest in Nzema politics will be fully appreciated and integrated in the stronghold politics of NPP,” he added.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi