The fight against injustice and inequality, and the quest to advocate for equity and equal opportunity for all is what has characterized and defined the life of Yaa Amponsah Frimpong (nee Gyamera), the first ever female Chairperson in the history of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition to lead and steer the affairs of the NPP-USA Branch, and indeed any External Branch for that matter.
Obaa Yaa, as she is affectionately called, grew up in Obuasi and had the privilege of being educated at the premier elementary school at Obuasi popularly called “Mines School.”
As a young child, she witnessed the excesses of the December 31, 1981 revolution and the inhumane treatment meted out to residents of Obuasi, most especially parents of friends she grew up with. As she recalls, this caused her a lot of discomfort, and made her vow in her heart to get involved in the political affairs of the country. She has never relented in her quest to be involved politically.
As she puts it, she has an innate desire to advocate for people and to resist what is unfair and unjust, and would not rest until she sees change happen. The welfare and wellbeing of others have been her driving passion in fulfilling her God-given purpose in life.
The return of Ghana to constitutional rule in 1992 was a positive paradigm shift that Obaa Yaa applauded, and she joined the NPP campaign for change and self-determination.
She completed University of Science and Technology with a degree in Social Science in 1999, after which she taught at Obuasi Secondary Technical School. After the NPP victory in the 2000 election, she left Ghana to pursue a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Denver. She completed in 2003 and has worked in the field ever since. She also earned a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Management from Regis University, Denver in 2009 and has co-owned Jeroyaf Accounting and Tax Services since 2004.
Obaa Yaa has been very active in the Ghanaian community in Denver and has held many different positions: public relations officer, secretary, and financial secretary of the Rocky Mountain Ghana Council.
She served as Public Relations Officer for the Asanteman Association of Denver, and was instrumental in getting Golden Star Resources, Colorado, and AngloGold Ashanti-Denver to assist in financing the shipment of a 40-foot container of medical equipment and supplies to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi in 2005, donated by ProjectCure which was greatly applauded by Otumfuo Osei Tutu.
As a community activist, Obaa Yaa volunteered to teach English as a Second Language and life skills to refugees that came through the Colorado African Organization program funded by USCIS.
Obaa Yaa was a founding member of the NPP-USA Colorado Chapter, and served as chapter secretary for two terms. Until her current elevation, she served as the NPP-USA Branch’s 2nd Vice Chairperson for two terms from 2009. She also served on many committees in the branch: Planning Committee, Elections Committee, Mobilization Committee etc. She continues to be a key member of the NPP-USA Women’s Wing, and is very supportive of the Youth Wing of the branch.
She participated in NPP-USA branch congresses in Dallas and North Carolina, and in 2009, her chapter successfully hosted the 2nd NPP International Congress in Denver.
As a woman of many talents, Obaa Yaa did not want to be left out, and so she was on the ground in Ghana for both the 2012 and 2016 elections. She served on the Welcome Sub-committee of the 2017 Presidential Inauguration Committee.
To quote the words of Margaret Thatcher, “In politics, if you want something said, ask a man but if you want something done, ask a woman”. Obaa Yaa has gone through the mill and is well seasoned and ready to hold the fort and, with God’s help, she will take the great NPP-USA branch to the next level.
