The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has celebrated one of its longest-serving and most loyal members in the Volta Region, Mr. Clemence Kwasi Boadzo Asempapa, who has attained the remarkable age of 100.
Mr. Asempapa, a native of Abutia in the Ho West Constituency of the Volta Region, was honoured over the weekend during a thanksgiving service and family celebration attended by leading party figures, constituency executives, family members, friends, and sympathisers.
The centenarian is widely respected within the party as one of the earliest and most committed supporters of the NPP in the Volta Region at a time when openly identifying with the party was considered unpopular and even risky in some communities.
Mr. Asempapa is also the uncle of the renowned Ohene household of Abutia, known for producing prominent NPP stalwarts including Elizabeth Ohene and Dr Sammy Ohene.
Former NPP National Chairman, Peter Mac Manu, and former Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, were among the high-profile personalities who travelled to Abutia on Sunday to celebrate the milestone birthday with the veteran party loyalist.
The thanksgiving service was held at the EP Church at Abutia Teti and was attended by executives and members of the Ho West Constituency branch of the NPP.
The church service was followed by a jubilant celebration at the home of the celebrant, where party faithful sang songs and shared in the historic occasion.
As part of the celebration, the Ho West Constituency Women’s Organiser, who hails from Abutia, presented a citation and donation to Mr. Asempapa in recognition of his dedication, loyalty, and sacrifices to the growth of the NPP in the region.
Speakers at the event paid glowing tribute to the centenarian, describing him as a “living legend” whose steadfast commitment to the party inspired many others to openly associate with the NPP in the Volta Region over the years.
Party members recounted how, during the early years of the NPP, Mr. Asempapa was reputed to be the only person in his hometown bold enough to publicly wear an NPP T-shirt and openly identify with the party.
However, Sunday’s celebration highlighted how much the political landscape in the area has evolved over the decades.
In a symbolic moment, former Chairman Peter Mac Manu, Dr. Nsiah-Asare, constituency executives, and local party supporters joined together to loudly sing the NPP anthem during the celebrations, while the 100-year-old celebrant proudly wore an NPP scarf to loud cheers from attendees.
Both Mr. Mac Manu and Dr. Nsiah-Asare also made cash donations to support the celebration and stressed that the party remains grateful to pioneers like Mr. Asempapa whose sacrifices laid the foundation for the NPP’s growth in areas where support was once minimal.
They noted that the party’s decision to honour the centenarian was intended to demonstrate the NPP’s appreciation for loyalty, dedication, and the unwavering commitment of its early members.
A visibly healthy and excited Mr. Asempapa expressed joy over the recognition shown to him by the party he has supported for decades, as family, friends, and party supporters celebrated his century-long life and political loyalty.
By 1960news.com
