"I contributed a lot to the growth of NDC"-Ms Koomson

Akyem Oda, April 29, GNA - Ms Ophelia Koomson, the President's nominee for the post of Municipal Chief Executive, Birim Central, on Wednesday said she contributed immensely towards the growth of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Akyem Oda Constituency. She said a claim by a minority group in the constituency that she was a stranger, who did not contribute her quota towards the growth of the party and was being imposed on them, was rather unfortunate. Speaking at a press conference at Akyem Oda, Ms Koomson, a graduate teacher, said her family and her have settled at Akyem Oda for more than 50 years now.

The nominee, currently the second vice-chairperson of the Akyem Oda constituency of the party, was the NDC Chairperson, from 1992-2008, and Constituency Treasurer from 2000-2004. She said she was an elected assembly member for the then Birim South District Assembly (BSDA) from 1989-1992, and a government appointee for the assembly, 1992-1996.

Ms Koomson said she served as the Finance and Administration sub-committee secretary, BSDA, from 1992-1996 and a member of the complaints and emolument of the assembly during the same period. "I was also the chairperson for the Area and Town Council Committee and Finance and Administration, BSDA, from 1996-2000." She said she had been a member of the University of Education Winneba Campus, NDC from 2000-2004 and also attended several courses including an orientation course for assembly members at the University of Ghana-Legon in 1989.

According to Ms Koomson, she was an active member of the 31st December Women's Movement in the then Birim District, which was later divided into Birim North and South Districts.

She said she together with other members of the movement led by Mrs Martha Benyarko, the then District Co-ordinator of the movement, empowered women to establish cottage industries and planted trees in the communities.

Ms Koomson wondered how a person who had served in all those capacities and continue to serve the party could be described as a stranger.

Meanwhile Mrs Benyarko in a telephone interview with the GNA described Ms Koomson as a hardworking person and appealed to the assembly members to give her the nod when the confirmation is due, to move the municipality forward.

Mr Anane Boateng, Akyem Oda Constituency Chairman of the NDC, Mr B.B. Frempong, Youth organizer, Mr Kwame Seth, Deputy Youth organizer, Madam Abiba J. J, Second Women's Organizer, Madam Abena Nyarkoa, Treasurer, Mr John Ayensu, Propaganda Secretary, Nuruden, Deputy Propaganda Secretary and Mr Ntiamoah, first Deputy Organizer, were present at the news conference.