According to William Arthur; “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” It was in line with the above quote that Patriotic Ambassadors for Peace (PAP) had a National Conference and Fundraising Dinner not only to raise funds, but also to honour the very people who have been the financial backbones of the Group's activities.
The date was Saturday, November 26, 2016 and the venue was Penwood Hotel, Accra. By 8pm, all the dignitaries had taken their seats and after the opening prayer was said, videos of PAP's outreach programmes were shown to the delight of the participants. At 8:20pm, Miss Doreen Dombo was asked to introduce the Chairperson for the programme and this is what was said about her.
• She's been a stalwart member of the NPP and UK Branch since 1992.
• She has also been the backbone of PAP and has served in every office of PAP: Chairperson of Policy Think Tank, chief fundraiser, member of the National Council just to name a few.
• Her passionate dedication to promoting peace and funding part of all PAP's outreaches is inspiring and cannot be quantified in monetary terms.
• We have evidence that she has personally donated campaign items to several NPP PCs without making it public - 106 boxes to Bole Bamboi, 16 boxes to PAP, motorbike, 1000 posters each to both Jirapa & Ellembelle Constituencies.
• Her generosity to mankind is beyond bounds and even in pains, she works like a 'robot' for the sake of her Party, mankind and Country.
• It has become a problem to many party faithful as what description they think fits her. One school of thought argues that, she is the 'Yaa Asantewaa' of our time, but others describe her as the "Mother Teresa" of NPP all because of her generosity and sense of humour.
• She is a professional chef and holds Diploma in Counselling, Management in Hospitality as well as Advanced Cake Decoration.
• She was a BECTU union representative under BBC and worked at BBC for over 18 years without any blemish. No wonder, she received EUREST/ COMPASS GROUP employee award in 2006 for her distinguished service.
• For those of us in PAP, we see her as capable, confident, fair and firm woman whose desire to see Nana Addo as president, come January 7, cannot be doubted.
• But what the gathering here probably don't know is that, this woman is not doing all the good things for her personal gains or future position in the Party.
• As the first grand daughter of the late Chief SD Dombo - the man who sacrificed his presidential ambition for the sake of our beloved Political Tradition and Country, this woman has a lot to share with us as she steers the affairs of this important event.
• Ladies and gentlemen, I give you ... Mrs. Irene Ponu-Brenyah, as the Chairperson of PAP's National Conference and Fundraising Dinner.
• Let's welcome her with a big round of applause.
As Irene stepped forward to take her seat, there were tears of joy as many could not believe she could come all the way from London to chair this important programme. But, that is how Irene works when she actually believes in a good cause.
After delivering a brilliant speech urging all participants to work harder for victory in December, Irene donated a cash of GHC5,000 toward the fundraising. Again, she personally presented special awards to PAPers who distinguished themselves in the course of the year.
Later, Irene received a standing ovation from the participants and in showing our appreciation to her, the National Coordinator of PAP, Katakyie Opoku Agyemang, on behalf of PAP leadership, gave two plaques and a certificate of appreciation to Mrs. Ponu-Breyah for her commitment, exemplary leadership and financial contribution to PAP and NPP.
Touched by the legacy of her grand father and other people who have influenced her life, Irene dedicated the first award jointly to the late Chief SD Dombo, her late mother Henrietta Hawa Dombo-Ponu and her sweet Auntie, Mrs. Paula Grace Eledi who took care of her from infancy. She also dedicated second award to her cousins, sibblings and more importantly, Mr John Amihere who has been her mentor. Irene did not forget about her nuclear family so she dedicated her third award to her better-half, Mr. Fred Brenyah and her two lovely two daughters, Phillipa and Henrietta.
Other Distinguished PAPers who received awards for their financial commitment and loyalty to PAP and NPP were Messrs Emmanuel Obeng, Michael Amoh, Hon. Clement Eledi (former Deputy Minister), Adu Gyamfi, Derek Paa Nii Kwaku Nkansah, Alhaji Mohammed Adams, Kat. Kwadwo Opoku Adomoko, Jacaboba, Augustine Manu, Richard Asare, Akora, George Asomaning, Cecilia Appiah and Emmanuel Owusu Mensah. Certificates of honour were also given to PAPers who participated in our outreach programmes.
Apart from the cash and material donations given to PAP by the Invited Guests, PAP also received solidarity messages from the National Volunteer Coordinator, Mr. Andrew Frimpong as well as the NPP-UK Branch Secretary, Dr. John Kissi.
In short, the programme was very successful due to the massive attendance, calibre of dignitaries, quality of solidarity messages and the amount of money raised to support the Election Day activities of our great party, the NPP.
Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang - 0202471070
Andy Oppong - Director of Operations - 0243662912
Doreen Maluzei Dombo - Director of Media - 0246954418
