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She toiled for country and party � J. A. Kufuor I was deeply saddened by the news of the death of Mrs Gladys Asmah.I had known Gladys, as l called her, for over 20 years in our party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and she had become a trusted counsel on matters of women and children for which she was exceptionally passionate. Gladys was a tough-willed woman with an unwavering spirit to succeed. Even when all doors seemed to be shut, she would keep pushing, for as long as she saw a ray of light.I came to appreciate her toughness and industriousness the more during the run-up to the elections of year 2000 when l toured all parts of the Western Region with her. Even in very tough terrain, where many men would shy from venturing, Gladys would readily �pull up her bootstraps� and be on her way. In all this, she still maintained a role as the �mother-figure� and ensured that all on the campaign trail were comfortable and well catered for. In government, Gladys excelled in all the roles she played. She was the first Minister of the Ministry of Women and Children�s Affairs, which she helped to set up. During her tenure, she ensured that the agenda of children and women were firmly placed on the nation�s political landscape. One of her many achievements was the establishment of the small loan scheme for women which enabled many women to set up small-scale businesses on their own and released them from the clutches of unscrupulous usuries. On her transfer to the Ministry for Fisheries, Gladys again displayed her entrepreneurial spirit by introducing innovative ways into the fishing industry. She championed commercial aquaculture and encouraged private sector investors to establish fish farms on the Volta River and elsewhere. Her popularity increased throughout the country with the dramatic increase in fish production, especially Tilapia. Mrs Asmah was leading the government�s efforts at building modern landing sites and fishing harbours for fishing communities along Ghana�s coast when our government left office in January 2009. Her love for the New Patriotic Party was unalloyed as she worked hard always to ensure its success and progress. I remember the many times Gladys came to my house, at times in the company of other women in the party, to discuss how we could untie some knotty point or the other that was bedeviling the unity and harmony of the party. Her sense of fair play and passion for the development of the party was always on display at such times. Gladys was a stalwart and pillar of strength for women not only in the NPP but also the whole of Ghana. She will be sorely missed and hard to replace. I wish young women coming up will follow her example. Gladys, you really toiled for your country and party. May your family and loved ones be comforted in the thought that your life was well lived. Rest in the Peace of the Lord. Gladys dammirifa due! Gladys da yie! Mrs Gladys Asmah was sociable, kind By Mr K. Awotwe �There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot�(Ecclesiastes 3:1-2) I nearly broke down when the sad news of the demise of Mrs Gladys Asmah was announced on air, but who are we to question God? Yes�.. Mama, as I affectionately called her, is resting peacefully in the bosom of her Maker. I came close to Mrs Asmah in 1997 when her close friend (Madam Esi Comfort) introduced me to her at one of her friends� funeral. She introduced me to Mrs Asmah as an organiser of the New Patriotic Party (New Takoradi) and also a strong member of the party. Mama encouraged me right there and took me as her son. The party started taking shape in New Takoradi due to proper organisation and hard work. Anytime Mama Asmah gave me a task to perform, she would sit down with me and we would have a lengthy discussion, ensuring that I understood everything before action was taken. Mama was sociable and always put on a smiling face. She was ready to accept responsibilities and would air her opinion on issues. She also advised me on my private life and kept telling me never to revenge even if I was very offended. Mama was ever ready to help those who were close to her. I had been with her on many platforms and I really learnt a lot from her. She was indeed more than a mother. My five-year-old daughter was named after her. Mama, I thank you so much for all the encouragement and every single thing you did for me. You will forever be remembered. May you rest in peace and rise to meet your Maker in glory. We shall surely meet again. Safe journey. Tribute by St Monica�s Anglican Church � Anaji Auntie Gladys, as we in St Monica�s Anglican church called her, virtually adopted our church in the 1990s after Rev. Fr Dr Reginald Say was transferred to Wiawso Anglican Teacher Training College as Chaplain. We had become �orphans� because scarcely did any priest dream of a drowning church at Anaji. She learnt of our plight and came down one Sunday morning in 1994, during church service and readily offered to share the word of God with us. For about five consecutive Sundays, St Monica�s became her pre-occupation. Auntie Gladys alternated Bible discussions with preaching of the word of God with us. She gave us the assurance of her continued support in our period of neglect by the Archdeaconry, and she kept faith with her assurance. In spite of her engagements, she made time twice or thrice a month to visit her �orphans� at Anaji. The streaming tears in our faces naturally dried off with Mrs Asmah�s regular visits. She had virtually become our �priest�. She understood us and cared for us. We loved her and she loved us more. The smiles she put on our faces defied any gloom. No wonder a new door opened in her lifetime � she became the Member of Parliament for Takoradi with our prayers. After her tenure of office as Member of Parliament for Takoradi, she came down one Sunday morning at the invitation of the priest, Rev. Fr E.M.A. Aquaye. Being the good mother that she was to our church, Auntie Gladys gladly and readily donated 100 bags of cement for the construction of our new church building and promised to donate more till the building was completed. But alas!! Here lies this virtuous woman cold in her casket, ready for her journey to eternity. St Monica�s Anglican Church is wondering who, this time, is going to wipe away our tears. Auntie Gladys, St Monica�s Anglican Church says safe journey back to your Maker. Till we meet again, we say, Damirifa due!!