Former MP for Gomoa West and Central Regional Minister, Ama Benyiwa Doe, has passed on, a family source has confirmed to Joy News.

The vociferous politician served as National Democratic Congress MP from 1992 to 2004.

The founding member of the opposition party christened Comfort Saah, died on Sunday morning.

In May this year, she commented on the disagreement between the party involving Bernard Allottey Jacobs.

The former member of the Council of State during John Mahama administration said the party’s former Regional Chairman recent rants would not affect the party in any way.

“Allotey doesn’t have any influence on the NDC; he only adds up to the numbers,” she told Akoma FM.

She said the suspended member of the party only joined the NDC to enrich himself.

“Allotey Jacobs’ sole interest was to make money [and] now he feels he is okay, so he is biting the hand that fed him,” she said.

Political life

During the 1996 elections, Ama Benyiwa Doe polled 17,504 votes out of the 33,955 valid votes cast, representing 35.60% against Joyce Aidoo, an NPP member who polled 10,866 votes, Samuel Attah-Eyison, who polled 4,827 votes and Oduro Baffoe, an NCP member, who polled 758 votes.

She won in 2000 with 12,995 votes out of the 28,089 valid votes cast, representing 46.30% against Benjamin Kojo Acquah, an NPP member who polled 11,248 votes, Kofi Amissah Essandoh, a CPP member who polled 2,468 votes and Muhammed M. Kassim, an NRP member who also polled 1,378 votes.

Ama was nominated by President Mills in January 2009 as the Central Regional Minister, and she became a Regional Minister from 2009 to 2012.

She was once a National Women's Organiser of the NDC.

Meanwhile, former President, John Dramani Mahama has paid tribute to the memory of the late party stalwart, Ama Banyiwa Doe.

In a Facebook post, the 2020 NDC flagbearer wrote, "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.

“May her soul rest in eternal glory."