Mahama attends Mamfehemaa's funeral
Kwame Asare Boadu
2 minutes read
President John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday, joined hundreds of mourners to pay their last respects to the queenmother of Mamfe Akuapem in the Eastern region, Nana Ama Ansaah Sasraku. The Mamfehemaa died on October 4, 2014 at the age of 84 after occupying the stool for 43 years.
Accompanied by the Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, ministers of state and leading members of the ruling National Democratic Congress, the President, in funeral outfit, arrived at the funeral grounds at 12.05 pm.
He went round to greet the Mamfehene and chief mourner, Osabarima Ansah Sasraku III, and his elders before taking his seat amidst the throbbing of fontonfrom drums.
The President donated GHc10,000 and assorted drinks to the family.
The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Ms Mavis Ama Frimpong, who made the donation on behalf of the President, said Mr Mahama acknowledged the massive contributions the late queen mother made to the development of her area and Ghana and added that the nation would sorely miss her.
Working life
Born into the royal Ansah Sasraku lineage of Mamfe Akuapem on January 4, 1930, Nana Ansaah known in private life as Mrs Margaret Kumi nee Margaret Ariel Ama Ansaah, was awarded a British Colonial administration scholarship to train as psychiatric nurse at the School of Nursing, Warlingham Prk Hospital, Surrey, England from 1952 to 1956, passing out as the first Ghanaian female to train in that field.
She returned home to practice her profession rising to become the Director of Nursing Services.
She was first enstooled Mmabaahemaa ( female youth queen) of Mamfe Akuapem to serve as role model for the females youth in Mamfe and its environs.
Enstoolment
In 1971, she was enstooled as the first queenmother of Mamfe Akuapem, after the death of Nana Amma Otiwaa, who and others before her, were designated as female leaders of the town.
In tributes paid by her children, the Nurses and Midwifery Council, and the chief of the town, they described her as an exceptional woman whose life was dedicated to the well-being of her town, Ghana and needy people.
